Art for mama

What you need to know:

For the women. In celebration of women and drawing inspiration from his mother, Alex Kwizera, through his art, brings the plight of women to the fore.

She looks at her reflection in the mirror. Her white teeth sparkle as she flashes her smile. The contours of her face curve to create an illusion of happiness.

But her eyes betray this emotion, for deep in them lingers a sadness. At first glance, the title, Selfie will amuse you for its association with that popular snapshot; however, like I later learn from artist Alex Kwizera, the painting portrays the much needed hope for abused women.
“The frown in her eyes speak of her suffering. Many women who have been victims of violence can barely look at themselves in the mirror. However, this painting highlights that there are people still searching for the feelings of women.

It gives them another reason to look at themselves as a complete woman,” he says. Selfie, was the signature piece of a recent exhibition Art 4 Africa by International charity organisation, Attacked Not Defeated (A.N.D), which advocates for fair treatment and support for survivors of sexual and gender based violence held at Gusto Kisementi in March.

For the women
In celebration of women and drawing inspiration from his mother for this particular art collection, the 27-year-old illustrator and fine artist captures the expressions of women. In the painting Mother and Child, in oil pastel, his favourite, a sad faced infant lies on the bossom of an excited mother.

This, Kwizera says, “ juxtaposes the child’s sadness and mother’s joy, because while children may be sad due to the life they have been forced to live by circumstances, nothing gives a mother joy like looking at her offspring.”

The artist believes that much as women go through many hurdles in life, there is hope, a message works such as his are meant to preach.

His other pieces portray women in all states of emotion. Kwizera, who is an anatomist, uses different media such as water colours, acrylics, charcoal and oil pastel in his art because “people are from all angles of the world and have different emotions and joys.” He adds, “I am inspired by expressions and mood in the human anatomy such as sadness, happiness, joy and women, whom I find very expressive. They do not hide their emotions too much like men.”

His skill as an illustrator as well makes him a realist as in that line, art is interpreted in its actual appearance.

The alumnus of St Peters SSS Naalya and Margaret Trowel School of Fine Art Makerere University, has exhibited his works at his gallery Kwiz-Era at Kisementi, Fireworks Exhibitions and often participates in joint exhibitions.

The day Kwizera learnt he was for the arts
“While in primary school, my teachers often checked our notebooks. Mine often had pictures on the back page. One day, I was caught and while I got the beating of my life, I knew I couldn’t be anything but an artist.

I am glad today a career in art is prestigious because growing up, you never heard songs sang about being an artist but always a doctor, engineer or teacher. I dedicate these works to my loving mother,” Alex Kwizera, Artist