From 4 – 31 October 2014 , KLA ART 014 – Kampala’s biennial contemporary art festival will showcase contemporary artists from Uganda and Uganda’s neighbouring countries to the public. This year’s theme is Unmapped; who are the unheard voices of our cities? How can we represent and celebrate the unseen urban-dweller?

„Building on the success of the festival in 2012, KLA ART 014 offers a platform to showcase new and emerging ideas by contemporary Ugandan artists.  KLA ART is a two-year process of thought, production and experimentation resulting in a unique festival, which directly links artists, artworks and audiences” Rocca Gutteridge, Project Director, KLA ART 014 

The festival will see the reopening of Kampala’s Railway Station to the public for an exhibition that will feature the work of ten artists, showcasing their interpretation of the “Unmapped”. “The bicycle knife sharpener; the express fashion designer; the mobile nail salon: they fill every corner of the city. ‘Unmapped’ will attempt to artistically showcase how people from every stratum of society adapt creatively to survive” Violet Nantume, Curatorial Committee, KLA ART 014 Five Ugandan curators, working with renowned South African curator Gabi Ngcobo, have selected the artists, who include Helen Nabukenya; a visual artist from Uganda who uses discarded fabric to create vast tapestries depicting the overlooked, the forgotten and the rejected. From Kenya, Dennis Muraguri explores the matatu; presenting it, not only as a transport tool, but also as a space for intriguing gossip and communication. Reaching out directly to the public, twenty boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) will be turned into artworks, ‘mapping’ Kampala, by forming temporary exhibition spaces in pre-selected locations across the capital. Ugandan artist Kizito Mbuga will transform a boda boda into a travelling cinema; whilst Ogwang Jimmy John will turn another into an interactive recording studio, which maps the ‘unheard’ musicians of the city. The mobile exhibition will attract new audiences from every corner of Kampala, from the iconic Independence Monument to bustling Ggaba market on the shores of Lake Victoria.

“Umeme has partnered with KLA ART 014 to celebrate and support art as a driver of community togetherness, self development and cultural diversity” Core Supporting Partner, Umeme (Energy distribution company, Uganda)

“KLA ART 014 promises to galvanise the city into artistic activity and awareness. This festival illustrates a triumph of sustained cultural and artistic collaboration in the region; artists from Uganda and its neighbouring countries will produce and present their art in Kampala, initiating conversations and interaction across the wider Eastern Africa region.” Margaret Nagawa, Chairperson, KLA ART 014

KLA ART 014, Curators:
Violet Nantume, Philip Balimunsi, Robinah Nansubuga, Moses Serubiri, Hasyfa Mukyala

KLA ART 014, Festival Exhibition artists:
Paul Bukenya Katamiira(UG), Francis X. Nnaggenda (UG), Helen Nabukenya (UG), Vithois Mwilambwe (DRC), Tony Cyizanye (RW), Dennis Muraguri (KE), Paul Ndunguru (TZ), Mulugeta Gebrekidan (ETH), Vivian Mugume (UG), Helen Zeru (ETH)

KLA ART 014,  Boda Boda Project artists:
Anest Gabriel Shaloom (UG), Babirye Leilah (UG), DAPU (UG), Derrick Komakech (UG), Kino Musoke (UG), Grace Sarah (UG), Joshua Godwin Kagimu (UG), Reagan Kandole (UG), Simon Katumba (UG), Kizito Mbuga (UG), Immy Mali and Ian Mwesiga (UG), Sandra Suubi Nakitto and Enock Kagga Kalule (UG), Adonias Ocom Ekuwe (UG), Ogwang Jimmy John (UG), Papa Shabani (UG), Petro (UG), Richard Wasike (UG), Ronex Ahimbisibwe (UG), Stacey GillianAbe (UG), Xenson (UG).

  KLA ART is being developed by 32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust, alongside a network of Associate Partners. These are permanent Kampala based arts organisations and include: The Bayimba Cultural Foundation, Ugandan Visual Arts and Design Association (UVADA), START Journal, Makerere Art Gallery/IHCR, Goethe-Zentrum, Alliance Française, Nommo Gallery, Maisha Film Lab, AKA Gallery, Weaverbird Community for the Arts and Uganda Museum and Tilapia Cultural Foundation.   http://klaart.org/index.html