Scratching his way to the painting world
Publish Date: Dec 08, 2011
Publish Date: Dec 08, 2011
Tusiime at work
New Vision Article by Martin Kanyegirire
He scratches the surface of the canvas so intensely you would think he had a grudge against it. Maybe he did because Mathias Tusiime grimaces as he goes about his work.
Tusiime is a self-made artist, an ecologically conscious one at that. He uses hand-crafted paper made from recycled materials like paints, paper, sisal and sugarcane husks.
Although financial difficulties deterred Tusiime from furthering his education, he has strived to attain success.
In 1999 when he was employed as a cleaner at Makerere University’s Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art, Tusiime interacted with recycled art materials and waste products, which he would later use for his artistry of painting.
The invention Within a year of observing what the students at the school were doing, Tusiime became an art enthusiast. However, he had no knowledge in art and lacked money to buy his own art materials. They say necessity is the mother of inventions and that is what Tusiime did. He invented a way of reprocessing colours and making his own drawing paper using waste products he had been discarding like sugarcane husks, sisal and grass.
“I knew this would be environmentally-friendly,” he recollects.
Today, Tusiime specialises in painting.
He has participated in group and solo art exhibitions. While at a group art exhibition organised by Nommo Gallery in Kampala in 2006, Tusiime’s painting sold first.
“It was bought by the cultural attaché of the Italian Embassy, Pietro Averono,” Tusiime recalls.
Foreign markets
Tusiime has sold most of his works in Denmark, Netherlands and the US. He expresses concern at the low level of appreciation of art among Africans.
This phenomenal artist has not quit his job as a cleaner at the art school.
“I knew it would help me supplement my earnings,” he says.
Achievements
“I would not have built my three-bedroom house in Wamala, Nansana, or had my own means of transport, if it was not for the invention and painting,” says the father of five.
His work still beats the understanding of many trained artists and art collectors. As a result, some students at the school have contacted him for market research and consultation.
Prof. Phillip Kwesiga, the head of communication, design and multimedia at the art school, says Tusiime’s ability to discover new things makes his art exciting.
“All good art has a beginning and it is not static and so is Tusiime’s art,” he says.
Most of his works reflect big bright-eyed children.
Dr. Rose Namubiru, a lecturer at the art school and Tusiime’s long-time mentor, says it is a reflection of his early years as a cheerful and curious individual.
Right from his maiden works, the underlying factors on the successes of Tusiime were hardwork and enthusiasm.
“Tusiime would always go to the studio after cleaning. One day I asked him to bring at least a painting for an exhibition and he brought me more than 10,” says Kwesiga.
The credited artist has captured the attention of modern medicine practitioners through art therapy. He has worked as an art therapist for those living with HIV in Mulago.
In May, he was invited to Rwanda by the University of Florida to participate in the East and Central Africa Art in Health conference.
In March, he was invited to the US to deliver addresses on contemporary art at Maryland University and the University of Florida, but he failed to acquire a visa.
“I love to think of myself as an environmentalist because I am fascinated by clean places,” Tusiime says.
He seems to fit quite well in the African proverb ‘know a man by the work of his hands’. One of his works graces the cover of MinstreI Literary Magazine in the US. The artist makes about sh7m a year from his craft.
He has also got the heart for philanthropy. Through a partnership with KISA Foundation, 50% of the proceeds from some of his artwork goes to persons living with HIV in Mulago.
He says his generosity stems from one client, Joyce Gottelieb, an American art enthusiast, who gives him free art materials.
“If someone who has not known me before could help me, why shouldn’t I also support others?” Tusiime asks.
