– Kampala
Indeed as a practice, craft deserves a celebration. Henry Mzili Mujunga couldn’t hold back but further shared his works as a token of appreciation for the twenty-five years of Artistry.
Making way into Afriart Gallery‘s exhibition space not only opens the audience to marvel through mere Artworks of diverse make but rather Ecos with vivid attest of Mzili’s journey in what he does best: Art.
Titledย Henry Mzili Mujunga– 25 Years; 1999- 2024, the showcase amounting to over 50 Artworks of various make, celebrating the Artist’s extensive body of work, which spans the 25 years of artistic practice is an unveil of new pieces alongside a unique look at his previous Art practice.
From paintings on Canvas and mixed media art to personal compilation of external documentation by mostly Print media like newspapers, Articles, and photography, this showcase introduces a deeper scope of who the Artist is and his life.
Experimenting with various mediums, Mziliโs practice follows a relentless curiosity to experiment with diverse materials like recycled waste cloths, mesh, paper, metal, still photos, wood, and video installations, all the pieces out into admirations.
Mziliโs Art syles present realism, semi-abstract to abstract paintings on Canvas reflective of society through daily living and experience as envisioned from the past to the present. Typical among his works is his embodiment of an African woman, displayed as a happy, calm, jolly, and strong individual.
His pieces are a tale derived from his travels across Africa and Europe, his experience through encounters with reflection upon pan-Africanism, and culture as his identity Ugandan heritage.
The Artist presents a variety of sizes in pieces, from larger formats of full Acrylics to medium and smaller ones of mixed media style, while he also frames some with glass and wood as a unique finishing and branding touch to his craft.
What is Art without tracking of one’s documentation? Mzili further dedicates a mini-collection for archives that recognizes his craft. These mostly are newspaper and magazine cut-outs of some of his previous exhibitions, documentary photography about his Art travel experiences, and a video installation. This well proves how the Artist traces what is documented about him, but he celebrates it.
Mziliโs work resonates with and challenges local histories, traditions, and contemporary issues, making them relevant not only as aesthetic objects but also as vital commentary on the world around us.
His Kickstart is traced back to 1996 when he graduated from Margaret Trowell School of Industrial Fine Art(MTSIFA) at Makerere University, Mzili who lately stands out as a unique painter and printmaker is the 2003 Norval Sovereign Art prize finalist is also the winner of the Royal Royal Overseas League (ROL) Art scholarship, whose works have been featured at not only local but across external global platforms like the INVESTEC Art Fair, Art X Lagos, Eastern Voices (Addis Art London)in 2023, South to South Veza, 1-54 Contemporary Art Fair Newyork among others.
The exhibition, spanning till February 1, 2025, stands out for its dimensional relay to creation, challenging the typical Curatorial line of Art events, and further opening up a space for pondering what Mzili is planning after the present mark in journey practice.
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