Jak Katarikawe

Born in 1940 in Kigezi, Kabale, Southern Uganda, Jak Katarikawe never had formal schooling. Self taught, he received early stimulus from his mother, who painted the walls of houses. Discovered by Prof. Cook from Makerere University, he had his first exhibition at the Nommo Gallery, Kampala (1973), and also in Denmark, Germany, Kenya, Nigeria, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom and USA.

"When I remember or listen to a good story, I laugh at it and then later, translate it into a painting", he says and does the same thing with dreams.

Katarikawe's paintings almost get a glimpse of Africa on the move: Women going to the market with "kiondos" on their head, people having siesta, full breasted women feeding children, etc.

His best paintings are of people, he met personally: each telling a tale with economy of expression and eloquence of colours. His birds and animals endowed with rare grace are in constant tête à tête. Katarikawe's paintings have a unique sensuality. The poetry book "The Dream does not die" of Anna Yardeni (1994), is illustrated with several of his master pieces like "The Flute Player', "Beauty of Africa" and more.

Over the years Katarikawe's style is unmistakable. He is also a musician and composer of love songs.

Exhibitions:

Artworks (Click the pictures to see an enlargement):

1. "Wedding" - Öl / Papier
2. "Flying Birds" - Druck
3. "Going Home" - Öl / Leinwand
4. "Family Planning" - Öl / Papier

             

Poster with orig. signature: "Mother" 1994 Poster with orig. signature: "We are hungry mother" 1994

 5.  The second wife -oil/paper

 6.  Broken hearts - linol print

 7.  Flying home -oil/paper

 8.  Sister Tales -oil/paper

 9.  The Public- oil/paper

10. Fatherly advice - oil/paper

11. Wedding - oil/paper

12. Who is the next king - oil/paper