Jak Katarikawe (Ugandan, 1938–2018)
Untitled, undated
Signed ‘JAK.KATARIKAWE’ (lower left)
Oil on board
88 x 55.9 cm
Ksh 450,000–550,000
(US$ 4,100–5,000)
Bought In
Provenance: private collection
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.