“And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship to design artistic works……and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all gifted artisans, that they make all that I have commanded you.” (Extracted from Exodus 31, NKJV)
The Story of the Israelites is taught in Ugandan academic and religious circles with passion and gusto, we’re a deeply spiritual nation after all, For God and my Country! No pun. For context, the almighty God had just split the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross to safety with Egyptian armies commanded by the superhuman Pharaoh in hot pursuit, and to their eventual peril in an undoubted demonstration of might that should have left no question as to who was in charge. Not the Israelites! They continually made it clear they would only believe wholly if they could “see” this “God”. Honourable mention to the Golden Calf.
God obliged, and in what has since proved a seismic moment for artisans, the Ark of the Covenant, tabernacle of meeting, mercy seat and all their revered articles were created (See Exodus 31ff). Through time, it has become apparent that this anointing upon artists became passed down through generations, an unseen ability to draw the Heart of God, literally. To interpret his glory. To tell of mysteries to come and see things that remain hidden from average human consciousness. The Mona Lisa, the compelling murals of the Sistine Chapel, Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ and so many other works of art are visible proof that artisans can enter realms of mystery, revelation and divine understanding leading to the creation of work that stands the test of time and defies human understanding and interpretation.
From June 13 to 15 at MOTIV, Bugolobi, Kampala, a space that has become the heartbeat of Uganda’s new era of creatives, Ugandan photographer Frank Tumuhairwe unveiled a solo photography exhibition that will become a defining moment in the wave of creative revolutions that have been sweeping Uganda’s streets lately and show no signs of relenting. Aptly titled ‘Faces of Culture’, the three-day exhibition showcased a coming-of-age of Ugandan artists, art consumers and creative forces. Uganda’s creative industry has found its voice and it is incumbent on the rest of us to listen.
Frank’s body of photography work is the collection of an artisan who has entered a special place in his creative heart, who has discovered that divinely inspired corner whose products supersede normal understanding. Dearly known in his circles as Spencer Shot It, Frank possesses a keen eye for detail, a mastery of composition and an uncanny ability to freeze his shot at just the perfect moment, enabling him to capture human emotion with nerve-chilling precision. According to Frank, culture is all around us, it is the very air we breathe, the fabric that weaves our hearts together. It is neither black nor white, neither young nor old, neither male nor female. It is everywhere, it is us and we are it. It has many faces and yet remains faceless.
So, day after day, as art lovers thronged MOTIV and ogled in amazement at hundreds of articulately curated and organized photographs in all manner of size, colour and shot from all corners of Uganda, one could not help but laugh at the common notion that Ugandans do not consume art. The role that art and the creative industry plays in national development cannot be overstated. Just a few weeks ago, Ugandan art reigned supreme at the Pearl Of Africa Tourism Expo #POATE2025, and with tourism now at the forefront of Uganda’s NDP IV, there is no telling what a coalition between art and tourism can do for these development objectives. If that is to become a realistic objective, artists like Frank Tumuhairwe must be at the forefront of this new creative movement.
Inspired by a tragic set of events that ended with his beloved mother losing her sight ten years ago, Frank embraced photography as his own form of rebellion against misfortune. “I keep taking beautiful photos and telling my mother stories about them in the hope that one day, she will be able to regain her sight and see my work.”, he says. And what work! From compelling children’s portraits, stunning marketplace shots, Karimojong lifestyles and Manyattas to intense fashion-centred pieces, street drama and breathtaking slums and ruins, Frank captures it all with raw, unbridled passion and creativity.
As he gifted a crowd-favourite portrait titled “Mulye muwogo si mugaati” loosely translated as “Eat cassava not bread” to his mother who could only feel the masterpiece and leave the rest of its contents to sheer imagination, Frank revealed to the rest of us in attendance the far-reaching impact of art, its divine ability to transcend the visible realm and connect human beings on much higher frequencies which cannot be seen by the naked eye. The portrait which features an elderly woman sitting by the roadside vending cassava and staring longingly into the distance at presumed ‘bread buyers’ is the perfect embodiment of the Ugandan and African mother and her endless struggle to provide for her family while keeping herself and her emotions in check, and showcases Frank’s ability to freeze human emotion with the momentary opening and closing of a shutter.
Art, and photography in this case in particular has the power to unite, heal and make us see parts of ourselves we didn’t know even existed and in his body of work which spans the past four years, Frank takes art lovers on a journey across different precepts of human consciousness where he invites the one viewing his work to reimagine the face of culture. Clearly, a lot of careful thought, planning and intricate production went into the process of creating the ‘Faces of Culture’ photography Exhibition.
It might have only lasted three days but Frank Tumuhairwe’s ‘Faces of Culture’ and the fire it lit will forever live and burn on in the hearts of everyone who experienced it. While celebrated Ugandan photographers Nyaika, Litboy, Keerera, and Lutaaya shared insights on the future of Uganda’s creative industry during an interactive panel, the electric Ugaboys thrilled revellers on the opening day, and fast-rising fashion designer and stylist Muwaya Racheal delivered a jaw-dropping runway presentation. The next day, musician Eduwado Kayondo, performers Mitch Isabirye, Geoff the Poet and Authentic SQ delivered entertainment, humour, wit and wisdom while dancers Shane and the STIM Crew, and gospel singer Nicole Muwanguzi, flanked by 11-year-old pianist Divine soothed hearts during the closing edition on the final day.
And as the curtain came down on a bold display of courage, creativity and passionate visual storytelling, Ugandan art once again shone brightest and reaffirmed my personal belief that the creative voices which dare to rise up against all odds will not be silenced. According to Frank Tumuhairwe, ‘Faces of Culture’ was meant to be more than just a photography exhibition. It was a movement.
He was spot on.
