Kasumba Stephen (1960) [view works available works from this artist]

Kasumba Stephen was born in 1960 in Uganda. Since 1982, he has been teaching art in a secondary school. Between 1996 to 1999, he lectured at the Institute of Teacher Education in Kyambogo, Uganda. Today Kasumba Stephen continues to lecture in Makerere University & Mukono Christian University . He is also a guest speaker at Uganda - Germany Society (on positive aspects of African Art at both academic & intellectual levels) and holds a Master Degree on Fine Arts.

Kasumba Stephen's nursery school teacher recalls that at the age of 4 he was a "problem". Kasumba was always carrying charcoal remains from burnt wood in his pockets which of course created a mess on his clothes. Despite her attempts to stop him, Kasumba drew on walls, floors and any other surface he could find.

During his childhood Kasumba practiced using local materials like banana fibre-mosaic and batiks.

When Dr. Watson Williams who had opened a local blood bank for AIDS saw Kasumba's batiks, he encouraged him to strengthen his abilities. Dr. Williams used to send oil colours from the United States. This marked the beginning of his painting career.

Although he worked under Ssengendo and Sserulyo (art school lecturers) throughout his artistic career, Kasumba Stephen has been an independent artist pursuing his own goals. He reflects on the origin of nature and human beings in relation to historical and cultural aspects of his beliefs. Kasumba states "I am of the conviction that cultures and traditions are not man-made things in our lives, but God given awareness of our natural rhythms."

Kasumba Stephen paints mostly in oils & acrylics and when painting usually applies colour without apology. The nature of his brushstrokes is the result of long time practice with banana-fibre mosaic.

He has had 2 solo exhibitions and has taken part in several other two-man and group exhibitions.

He loves community service and has been a consultant at grassroots level to both academic and self-taught upcoming artists in batik, banana fibre-mosaic, painting and sculpture.

Selected Exhibitions

Kasumba Stephen GALLERY