Eria Sane Nsubuga | Uganda

The Source: The Weekly Observer
http://www.ugandaobserver.com/new/ent/ent2007020112.php

A Piece of ‘Sane’ Art

For a young artist in Uganda, Eria Sane Nsubuga is doing well. Recently, the 28-year-old held his fourth solo exhibition sponsored by Alliance Française and held at their premises in Kamwokya.

Nsubuga does paintings, sculptures and illustration print-making in books or magazines. The exhibition attracted an enthusiastic crowd that included French Ambassador Jeremy Garrancher who bought himself a bicycle made of brass.

The jovial Nsubuga began commercial art in 1999 at the age of 20. Nsubuga's work isn't the abstract art that is hard to understand.

He says he's inspired by nature and human activity and most of his paintings and sculptures are of flora and fauna.

"People here want to buy art pieces that are overtly explainable. It's European customers that want the complicated art work. That's why my art is plain and simple."

Gospel music is also part of his inspiration as he reiterates his strong attachment to church work among the youth in Entebbe where he lives. Knowing this, it isn't surprising that he plans to release a gospel music album this year.

"I have been learning the guitar and I am mastering it now. It's for this reason that I want to sing too," he laughs.

Classical music, Bebe and Cece Winans keep him company late into the night in his workroom at home as he thinks up new ideas and draws.

Presently, Nsubuga has two European art collectors who buy his pieces and re-sell them. Also, he has made himself a website www.saneart.com and www.africapainters.com on which his pieces can be seen and ordered for.

Author John Vianney Nsimbe