07/07/2024
During our discussion on DISABILITY and ART in Uganda at Alliance Francaise in Kampala and where l performed as a Moderator, We focused on Disability Art and Disability Art by the Disability Movement, these two are different basing on the context of ART in it's world.
*Disability Art*
in most cases art takes on Disability as a theme, when and where individuals with or without disabilities explore or expose the ideas and physical realities of what it is to be a disabled. During such events we expect people to gather( More especially PWDs) to define themselves as a community, like we always do disability art on our IDD , as we march, others put up white canes, others demonstrate in wheelchairs etc... to show our existence, abilities, Disability is not inability, Nothing for us without us etc..and all sorts of Disability art to represent the existence of DISABILITY.
I further guided the Speakers on platform, that in some areas Disability Art can be abusive to a person with Disabilities when someone performs it with intended goal or purpose. Say for example;
If one decides to walk my style where l am present and only to make others to laugh. Or mimic a deaf person for the sake of his / her own interest.
Therefore, Disability art should be like other tools to support our movement to reject critiques, stereotype views, negativities and other human minds complicating our representation / existence us human beings.
We agreed that, The disability fraternity has to support this concept of advancing disability arts to prominent artists like , Juliana, Babe Cool, Jose, Mr. Presediso Bobi Wine, Bakayimbira Dramactors etc.. to recognize Disability Art like the way Ebonies do while using the Little People in their series.
We further noted that in the past, Disability arts used various disabilities to convey ideas about evils, sufferings, sometimes grace, witch crafts, and all this reinforcing stereo types on PWDs.
We went on to agree, that we need to identify Disability art performers who are not affiliated to past norms , cultural beliefs, stereotypes etc..
I further pointed out that, disability has been part of human condition for many years back, and here in Buganda Disability art continue to be seen when individuals get possessed with Jjaja Wannema and whose walking stick sells like a hot cake in all traditional stores in Buganda, in Christianity, the disability art of Jesus Christ performing miracles to cure the PWDs, much of this Miracles were depicted in art,, for example the film on "" THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST HEALING A BLIND" which same Disability art can be viewed at Monreale Cathedral in Italy as Jesus healing a L***r.
It's very true that this disability arts has led many others to act like Jesus Christ ( Not by healing) but to help the disadvantaged/ PWDs by providing to them food, clothings, housing, Treatment and sometimes Visiting them.
*Disability art of Disability Movement*
Disability art in the Disability Movement, art stands for ' art made by Person's with Disabilities themselves and which art reflects our experience, skills and abilities. The earlier misconception to weaken PWDs, not only gave to us hope but it amplified our abilities to explore more art in all aspects of life which included;
Fine Art
Blacksmith
Music
Writing
Carving
Weaving
Jewelry making
Molding
Poets
And Story telling.
Individuals like Buwembo Yekosafati the Artist, have continued to use talents and abilities to explore and express ourselves and to connect to other world by sharing our knowledge and skills expressing our internal feelings or state.
The formation of Rehabilitation centers in Uganda and other parts of the world, proves to us that originally our societies were convinced with the arts PWDs demonstrated even before the missionaries came to Africa. And we believe that many disability arts by disability movement remain unknown since very little is known on past art in Uganda.
In conclusion,
1. We need to emphasis and Market the Disability art to support our 1987 Agenda when PWDs came together to form NUDIPU
2. We need to influence Disability Art by disability movement within the Disability Movement
3. Find possible ways for Disability art by the Disability Movement to compete with other arts in this competitive world and now with Artificial Intelligence art work.
Thank you for sparing your time and read through our discussion we had at Alliance Francaise.
Yours,
Buwembo Yekosafati
Artist - UGAD
Chairperson - WAPD
