This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
On display at Kioko Mwitiki's Art Gallery is the work of Ugandan artist Matt Kayem, a multitalented artist who has been making waves in the art world with his unique style.
His exhibition, which has been billed as very appealing to millennials, features artworks that put him squarely at the centre of his paintings and prints, making no pretence of being modest – because he isn’t.
One of the standout pieces in his exhibition is his print 'Highly Melanated', which features three lovely young women and him standing in a row, each a different shade of brown and aligned from the lightest-to-the-darkest-toned woman.
According to Kayem, the artwork is a deconstruction of the 'colour bar', and he notes that melanin researchers now believe the darker you are, the better for your health and happiness.
Another interesting piece in his exhibition is his portrait of the backside of Natasha Kemigishe, a voluptuous young woman, the kind he says African men adore.
His denim works, including a portrait of the backside of Natasha Kemigishe, blend well with his colourful African wax-print fabrics and Dutch-wax print.
When asked about his inspiration, Kayem explained that he has been influenced by African-American culture, but this is more apparent in his paintings than in the prints.
For instance, in 'The Arrival of the Cool', he features Michael Jackson, Mohammed Ali, and Beyoncé, together with George Washington Carver (Black inventor) and at the back of the line is a character that looks like himself.
