Circle Art Auction 2017, Lot 48 Jak Katarikawe

Jak Katarikawe (Ugandan, born 1938)
Jealous Girl, circa 1985
Signed ‘Jak Katarikarwe’ (lower left)
Oil on board
64 x 51 cm

Ksh 320,000-600,000
(US$ 3,000-5,500)
Bought in

Provenance: private collection. Purchased by previous seller from England

Jak Katarikawe grew up in rural south west Uganda and is now one of East Africa’s best known artists. As political oppression intensified in Uganda, Katarikawe relocated in 1981 to Nairobi, where he became one of the small group of artists to gain exposure through Ruth Schaffner of Gallery Watatu.

Combining painting and storytelling, Katarikawe’s emotive portrayals of the dramas and dreams of village life have received international acclaim and been an inspiration to generations of young artists.
Extensively collected, Katarikawe’s paintings have been exhibited in Africa, Europe and the USA. Recently, they have been featured at the annual Bonhams’ Africa Now auction in London.

This painting, of a jealous girl spying on her friend’s passionate tryst, has been authenticated by the artist.

Painting restored and varnished.