Leilah Babirye : Ebika Bya ba Kuchu mu Buganda (Kuchu Clans of Buganda) II

Interesting exhibition at Stephen Friedman Gallery of work by Ugandan artists Leilah Babirye.

This was a mix of wooden sculpture, large -scale ceramic works, masks and large paintings on paper. I loved the way she uses found objects which she combines with hand crafted pieces. Depending on scale they reminded me of totem poles, shrunken heads or Benin bronzes. I liked the way they worked as individual pieces but also grouped together so well.

I have since read the press release and realised the pieces are also saying things about LGBTQ life in Uganda and Africa and about Bugandan kinship systems but I’m not sure I would have got that depth from just looking at the work.

Closes 31 July 2021

 

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