Meet the Artisans
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Joshua Ibanda, a home-grown Ugandan artist, is a man of few words. Joshua hails from a small village in Busoga where the source of the
Nile—the longest river in Africa—is found. Raised by a single mother and the last born in a family of five, he grew up at a sugar cane
factory called Imanyiro Jaggery Mill which is believed to be the cradle of his unique talent. Jaggery mill was like the forge of Vulcan
(Hephaestos), the celestial artist and designer in Greek mythology. The sugar cane machines, the heavily loaded sugar cane trucks, the huge
fires, the thick multi- colored smoke from the large chimneys, the laborers, and the great noise are all a part of the story of his art. Joshua first trained as a teacher, but later abandoned teaching to pursue his personal legend in art. |
He holds a bachelor of industrial and
fine arts [HONS] of Makerere University, but fears to mention that he majored in painting because he thinks that there is no such a thing as
"majoring" if one is capable of listening to his heart and art. It is difficult to identify Joshua with a particular style when it comes to painting. His art transcends a fusion of cultures and styles. He
believes that an artist, like the sun which sets but appears to disappear, is always trying to find his reason for being through his life
journey. That is why he is reserved when confronted with the big question, “What really inspires you?” He points to the heavens and then
responds "The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a
guarantee that there is a world that is perfect. A world where natural knowledge is supreme. That is where I get my inspiration".
Joshua is a political cartoonist for a weekly newspaper in Kampala. He has illustrated many publications for corporate organizations,
universities, NGOs, and magazines dealing with issues of safety, education, HIV/AIDS, and other social concerns.
Joshua has caught the fire of community art projects and has so far worked on a huge mural at his former secondary school together with a
community artist with an African dream - Miss Holly Elzinga.
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1997 - First prize winner of logo contest for Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Conservation Trust
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2000 – Participated in artists exhibition Nommo Gallery in Kampala, Uganda.
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2001 – Participated in Yomiuri International Cartoon competition and exhibition Japan.
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2002 - First runner up for Operation Sunrise Africa, a competition based on the visual interpretation of the four gospels.
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2003 - First prize winner of World Food Day competition organized by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
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2004 - Solo art exhibition featuring his private collection of abstract, semi abstract, impressionist, expressionist, and native African art.
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2005.........First runner up in an art contest organized by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).
Daphne is a skilled seamstress from the Eastern part of Uganda, Pallisa district, who lives and works in Kampala, Uganda. Since 2004 she has
been working at a local fashion store on Kampala Road where she designs garments for women made of exquisite hand-dyed or wax-dyed textiles.
She also creates beautifully patterned handbags, tablemats, aprons, and oven mits, which are sold on this site.
Where did you learn your skills?
I took a designing course in college and learned some of my skills. My creativity is a talent I developed there because I already had it in
me. I naturally love making things and creating new items to see how they come out.
From what do you get your inspiration?
I have a Talent and I get a strong sense of satisfaction and enjoyment out of using it well. I am motivated by how many people want the items
that I make. Even within my country in Uganda, my friends encourage me when they see how well my work sells.
What do you use the money from your sales for?
I use the money for my own business expansion and meeting my personal needs. I also pay my church tithes and offerings.
Do you support others through selling your work?
I pay school fees for my sister’s orphaned children. I also extend some help to those in need whom God brings my way.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
My future dream is to train some other people about my work who can carry on my trade after me.
 | Rosemarie is a delightful woman who lives in Kampala, Uganda. She helps Rangi Mingi Gallery with the logistics of ordering and shipping
products from Kampala-based artisans to the states. Her dedication to service, commitment to the artists she lives with, cross-cultural experience from her recent trip to the states, and
computer skills are greatly appreciated. Over the past year of working together Rosemarie has become our dear friend. In addition to helping us, Rosemarie has her own fashion line called REK WEAR which includes cloths, crafts, and booklets. More information
will be available about Rek Wear when the website becomes available. Rosemarie also prints Gospel T-shirts and writes books called “Living
with Christ” which are based upon her own personal experience. She majors in deliverance ministry and would like to touch people’s hearts
with her literature. |
 | Grace Kembabazi, a Rwandese woman living in Uganda, has a complex, beautiful story. She is a woman of undaunting strength and enormous talent. No task is too challenging for her and her creativity knows no bounds. She loves to incorporate new and innovative designs into her African fashions. She creates many of Rangi Mingi’s handbags from hand-dyed or screenprinted textiles sewn into her own fashions. |
Joan Babara is a fascinating multi-lingual woman with a diverse set of skills that she puts to very good use. At 60 years old, Joan is vibrant and thriving. She owns a centralized craft and curio centre in the heart of Kampala where she works to empower other women around her by helping them develop their skills and market their crafts to a wider audience. She is a very active woman mobilizer, a well-trained social worker specializing in nutrition and women activities, an evangelist and counselor, and a strong believer in Christ Jesus. Having traveled the whole of Uganda and East Africa, Joan can relate well to people of diverse backgrounds, lingual groups, and cultural heritages. In addition to her skills in mobilizing, empowering, and encouraging, Joan also has amazing hand skills. She crafts our central-style woven baskets.
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 | I am a Chicago-based artist working primarily in photography, textile design, and jewelry making. I draw much of my inspiration from the
beauty and diversity that flooded me while living in Kampala, Uganda. Featured on this site are my hand-dyed textiles and a variety of
jewelry designs. I received a BA in Community Art from Wheaton College. Part of my studies included a program called HNGR (Human Needs and Global
Resources) which gave me the opportunity to work and learn at a child development organization in Kampala, Uganda. During that time the
initial ideas for Rangi Mingi Gallery were formulated. I was inspired by the profound talent of artists I met in Kampala who became my dear
friends, and I became more visually cognizant of the myriad of ways in which African values and visual iconography are seeping into the
global artistic scene. |
I wanted to create a space where all artists who specifically draw their inspiration form the vast and diverse
continent of Africa can display and sell their work. This not only creates a wider audience and greater exposure to the richness of the
motherland, but it also allows skilled artisans to be able to make a living from their trade.
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