Rose Kirumira

Rose Kirumira (born 28 October 1962).is a Ugandan sculptor and senior lecturer at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts (MTSIFA), Department of Visual Arts, College of Engineering Design Art and Technology, at Makerere University.She specializes in human form, sculpted wood, clay and concrete monumental sculptures. Her works include the statue King Ronald Mwenda Mutebi where she assisted the sculptor and professor Francis Nnaggenda at Bulange Mengo, and Family at Mulago Hospital in Kampala. Quotes This wood is something I have wanted to make for a long time. But I needed the right kind of material. The right thickness and hardness. Now, I can’t stop thinking about the process. How to slice it, put it on the table, start designing it and accomplish the concepts I have envisioned. The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira Yes it is. I am very excited about this coming process. Bringing out the material, you know … it is almost as the wood talks to you. Then I try to envision how the piece will work out aesthetically. And I think about how to mix it with other media. The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira In this piece, I need to dig out holes, and then I am certain will cover the holes with these big, beautiful copper plates. Furthermore, this piece of art also includes some balls, and then I imagine whether they should be stonelike or made from ceramics. The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira I want to achieve the idea of showing people something they already know, but turned into something that looks a little skewed. Furthermore, it is about bringing out the aesthetic of what is contained in our visual culture and how it can be preserved. The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira In my true sense as a visual artist; I think it is about appreciating oneself and being in tune with ones thoughts and abilities, and not being afraid of expressing those thoughts in the best way possible. This is how I approach a piece of wood; imagining how I can turn it into one perfect, beautiful sculpture. An expression of a persons individuality. And in a way, I am giving the viewer me. The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira I think it is a matter of being very romantic. I like to imagine beautiful things, and I like the perfection of a solid, three-dimensional sculpture. When you view my art, I hope you will appreciate how this one whole body of ideas comes to show, that you can feel the artists inner thoughts and ideas. And in a way, appreciate your own inner thoughts, your abilities and limitations The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira When I am walking around and seeing something, I store it as an idea for a future art piece. Whether it is a visual or emotional input, I think about it and ask: ’Is this an idea that can live in one of my pieces?’ Later, I am seperating these memories, throwing away, rejecting but still loving all these daily impulses The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira It is hard to pinpoint. It comes from things happening around me. Daily life inspires me a lot. But then again; there are some constants that I need … I hold on to the mediums I am using. Carving wood. Using clay. And my cultural roots – the Ugandan visual culture – becomes a constant too. I base myself on my visual culture to express my anger, my satisfaction and my joy. The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira I go back into history. To my portfolio of unfinished woorks. Ideas that never happened or something I wanted to do, but didn’t finish.” Rose is pointing to a large piece of wod at the table in her outdoor workplace. ”These days I have cleared the space in my workshop. Then I often find myself bringing out a piece I’ve had many attempts at. I look at it and say: ’Well. What can I do with you? Now, it’s your turn again.’ And if it doesn’t spark anything, I put it back and move forward. But sometimes going backwards The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira This is my attempt to think like a painter. You know, I have tried so many times, but I always end up adding different items to give the physical kind of depth The Special One: An Interview with Rose Kirumira External links Category:Living people Category:1962 births Category:Women from Uganda Category:Sculptors from Uganda Category:Educators from Uganda