An Artist's Eye

Uganda can be an exciting, chaotic and difficult place. Kampala is the epicenter of that beautiful madness.

When one grows up in the midst of something – skyscrapers, mountains or people – the uniqueness and character of those surroundings gets lost. It is why I often fail to notice the beauty of Seattle and Mt. Rainier when I drove south on the freeway or why the Space Needle doesn’t even warrant a second thought. I see them every day so I have stopped seeing them.

That is what makes some art so compelling. When someone can depict something unremarkable in a unique and beautiful light, it reminds us that there can be wonder within the familiar.

Dominic Lukandwa is a Ugandan artist and teacher. We found prints of some of his art at a local craft shop. He mostly works in batik, a medium using wax-infused cotton and dyes to create layers of color. If you have received a card posted from us in Uganda, it probably featured his work.

I managed to track Dominic down through social media to ask if he was willing to accept a commission for some original pieces. I left him messages. Weeks passed. Eventually I received a response from an unfamiliar Ugandan phone number, “yes, I accept commissions.”

We met at a local coffee shop on a rainy Kampala afternoon. He carried a brown paper-wrapped parcel tucked partially under his shirt to protect it from the downpour. This was his portfolio, including dozens of breathtaking batik images of the life and people of Kampala. His work included depictions of urban wildlife, city scenes, market stalls, working women, kids at play and the ubiquitous boda bodas. Unique images of ordinary things.

We asked Dominic if he could try to capture the work of Pepperdine’s Sudreau Global Justice Institute. He was concerned about his ability to capture the scenes and asked to visit a prison with us to understand what happened there.

His artist’s eye saw so much. The remandees always crouch so they are lower than the guards and lawyers. They rarely look anyone in the eye. They walk slowly, move sparingly and speak quietly. Dominic saw the harsh reality of their situation but, with his trained vision, he also saw hope.

Over some preliminary sketches, we talked through the message of each piece and the overall theme. The first commission was for two large original pieces to be presented to benefactors of the program as well as a series of smaller pieces. Some were presented last weekend at a fundraiser at Pepperdine. Another (not pictured here) will be presented this summer in Uganda.

All the pieces show specific people – advocates, judges or other partners of the Ugandan Judiciary -- who have significantly moved the cause of justice forward.

In addition to opening our eyes anew to what has been right in front of us, this commission broadened Dominic’s vision both for his country and for his art. His wonderful work on this project created opportunities for new commissions and new clients.

Supporting yourself as an artist is particularly challenging in the developing world, especially during and in the wake of the strict Uganda COVID lockdowns. We are thrilled to help Dominic bring his skills and vision to those outside Kampala. Follow Dominic on Facebook @LDominic Batik or Instagram @ldominicartist or email him at lukandwad@yahoo.co.uk. If you see anything you like, we’d be happy to bring it back to the US for you.