AT THE LABA ARTS FESTIVAL 2017

The Laba Arts Festival took place on Saturday 7th May at Bukoto, Kamwokya Street; almost next to the Acacia Mall-Kisementi.

The arts festival was held under the theme, “Ubuntu: A person is a person through other persons"

I arrived at the festival at around 2pm, with a friend, and found that the street was already filled with many revelers.

At the entrance, we were welcomed by The Batalo East Dance Group who were leading a dance session. They were surrounded by very many people who were amazed at their dance moves.

We too joined the rest of the audience,and i must say they a\were really entertaining with their dance movies.

They did get us hooked for some good time.

As we headed to buy burgers, we happened to spot a tent where there were beautiful paintings on display.

Something though was really unique about this painting.

One could notice that there were Candy and sweet wrappers, synthetic paper got from plastic water bottles, plastic soda bottles, and wine bottles, biscuit wrappers,… all placed onto these the paintings.

One of the paintings was depicting air pollution and water pollution, as well as the struggles of street children who sit at the streets begging everyday.

Right next to the paintings were flower pots and plants made out of recycled waste material.

So,it turns out that these artworks (the paintings and the flower pots) were from a group of artists from Sagir Art Studio.

Now, these artists at this studio are a collective of four deaf artists who have dedicated themselves to displaying environmentally friendly- “Eco-Urban” artworks; all because of their concern about the urban environment situation around Kampala and Uganda at large.

For this reason, together with hearing artists, they want to fight the environment pollution through art to make a bold importance of growth and development of Kampala as a Green City.

They hope to create artworks from recycled polythenes, and set up a visual and tactile monument from trash; all which explains the candy wrappings and synthetic paper from mineral water bottles etc that are included onto the paintings.

On the opposite side were a group of drummers from different races, all dressed in African print fabric. One could tell that they were very passionate about drumming from the way their faces were lit up, and the way they played the drums.

As we moved forward, we found a large canvas which had several artist paintings.

Different people were seen taking selfies, right in front of this large canvas.

Later on, as we left, one of the exhibitors who happened to meet my friend’s friend and we the three of us ended up having a chat.

He happened to be selling T.shirts of the festival,amd convinced us into buying one.

After buying the T. Shirt, we left the venue.

It was quite an interesting experience I must say.