Charity Lot
Jak Katarikawe (Ugandan, 1938–2018)
Msichana, undated (circa 1985)
Signed ‘JAK.KATARIKAWE’ (lower left)
Oil on board
64 x 51 cm
Ksh 170,000–380,000
(US$ 1,500–3,500)
Sold Ksh 493,080
Provenance: private collection
Most of the proceeds of this sale (inclusive of auction commission) will go to the late artist’s family.
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. The painting has been restored and varnished.
Katarikawe died this year and most of the proceeds of the sale of this painting will go to his family with no commission taken from the auction organisers.