Biography

While influential 20th century Europeans such as Picasso and Moore borrowed from traditional African art forms.Africans such as David Kibuuka have been influenced by masters of traditional African art and contemporary Western art. Combining these diverse ingredients to form innovative blends of techniques.

Born in Uganda, Kibuuka was a blossoming prodigy who began selling his painting through local galleries at age 11. Protege to his brilliant late mentor and older brother Henry Lutalo Lumu, the artist shared a passion for the works of European art masters. From Henry, Kibuuka learned a deep respect for the achievements of realists such as Rembrandt, da Vinci, Rafael, and Michelangelo. This early passion found Kibuuka creating works such as 'The Royal Guardian' - In this work, exquisite anatomical details capture the regal stature of a Maasai warrior. Spending six years in Kenya, Kibuuka made this legendary tribe a favorite subject for his early work executed in High Renaissance-styled realism.
As Henry exposed him to more modern western styles, Kibuuka evolved to include impressionism and surrealism, infusing his deep love of human anatomy and natural form with a vibrant new energy. One result of this evolution is 'Ceremonial Dance'. In this striking piece, a group of young Maasai warriors dance proudly in precisely unified fragments of bold primary colours.

Although Kibuuka is equally fluent in oils, acrylics, watercolors, pencil, a favorite medium has emerged. "I love the versatility of Wax and dyes on fabric.

Origins
Kibuuka's Art: Historical Origins

Early Mankind in Uganda ( East Africa )

Archaeological evidence for mankind's presence within the equatorial region of Uganda can be traced to over 150,000 years BC. Tools and artifacts suggest that modern man settled here since 10,000 BC, and local cultures developed by 1500 BC. Between AD 500 and 1500 migrations across the continent appear to have given this region a cross section of peoples originating from many places on the continent. From other parts of Africa, Bantu-speaking peoples arrived and settled here. Numerous kingdoms were formed by individualized peoples with unique combinations of genetic makeup, language, customs, and principle food types.

Assemblages of Culture

About AD1300, migrants from what is now Ethiopia and Sudan, thought to be possibly of Hamitic or Luo origin settled here and joined Bantu-speaking groups from Busoga in the east and Bunyoro from the west. During this period historical records indicate several groups coalesced into what is now referred to as the Baganda Kingdom, Uganda's largest ethnic group.

The Lumu Clan

Kibuuka's family has remained within the Buganda Kingdom for multiple generations, tracing its lineage to a great, great, great, grandfather, Zimbe, born in the early 1700's. Zimbe's son, Kuuma Omwami, fathered Kibuuka's great grandfather, Matayo Bossa, grandfather to Kibuuka's father, Nakemeya Lumu. Lumu's wife, Kabasindi Kajoka, bore him 11 children, 4 boys, 7 girls -- Henry Lutalo Lumu, 4th and David Kibuuka Lumu, 11th.