Post date: Jan 03, 2013 3:51:45 PM
"Beyond the subject - between the intentional and the accidental," is the first solo exhibition by Uganda born and Johannesburg based artist Benon Lutaaya. Benon uses the materials at his disposal, from discarded paper to plastic telephone cards as palette knives and everything in between to guide the concept and subject matter, which in turn always stems from the artist's personal experiences.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (RECENT) (REUTERS) - Benon Lutaaya is a Ugandan born artist who has made a name for himself in Johannesburg's versatile art scene.
Lutaaya uses material collected from the streets like discarded paper to set the tone and texture of his collages and plastic telephone cards as palette knives.The artist started painting on the streets of Kampala, Uganda where as a streetchild he did not have money to buy sophisticated art equipment so he would pick up what was readily available.
What started out as a passion to create art has become a unique style that is highly respected by his peers today.
"I go out on the streets... that has been my story from day one, go out pick up resources, papers, any waste because I could not buy art supplies and try to play with it to create art," said Lutaaya.
Lutaaya uses his personal experiences as inspiration for his art, most of which consists of collage portraits of street children. The images represent survival of marginalised groups in society, he says.
He also says his style provides a channel for fresh inspiration.
"When I am painting I try to mix my colours on papers, so that when I am not in the mood to paint I can go back and pick up those papers and collage, because that is originally where I am coming from," he said.
Lutaaya started his professional career in 2009 in Uganda, and relocated toJohannesburg, South Africa's capital in 2011 on a residency programme at 'the bag factory' - a hub for local artists.
The 27-year-old says he arrived in the country with nothing but a dream.
At the bag factory he met a lot of artists who inspired him and he decided his art stood a better chance of success in Johannesburg than in his home country.
Lutaaya recently held his first solo exhibition at the Room art gallery titled, "Beyond the subject - between the intentional and the accidental."
He has participated in a number of group exhibitions in Uganda, South Africa andEurope. His work is present in a variety of private collections in South Africa, and most recently in the Ellerman's Contemporary public art gallery in Cape Town.
The artist's work has attracted both local and international attention and guests at his exhibition gave him rave reviews.
"This exhibition highlights the progress achieved in his way of work," said Patrick Moutla, an artist.
"His work has become so incredibly good, it's literally sky rocketing, he literally has people begging him to do work for him and its his integrity and his pushing of himself that makes him that makes it interesting and dynamic," Sarah Hallat, Johannesburgresident.
Lutaaya will hold more solo exhibitions in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Chelsea this year.