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| Lilian Mary Nabulime, 2012. (Photo by: Stuart Williams. All rights reserved.) |
AFRICAN WOMEN ROLE MODELS - Dr. Lilian Nabulime
Dr. Lilian is a role model for African women of all ages –
indeed her essence of self-expression through “provocative” sculpture is a bold
and courageous standing. What is to be drawn from Dr. Lilian is her mantra on
women having the freedom to express themselves without fear! She describes
women being perceived as “secondary citizens” in the larger sect of African
society and she reveals that women risk their lives by abiding to a code of
silence on issues considered not to be for public consumption. Dr. Lilian points
to a new reality that the African woman can live in; a reality where women are
well informed individuals, unafraid to express themselves in light of the
matters that involve and affect them.
“For me art is a
powerful weapon that can address issues which are of political, social, and
cultural importance without raising confrontation. Furthermore, art can
overcome language barriers and be used to communicate issues to people who are
illiterate. As a practicing Ugandan artist I am interested in using art to
address issues of public health. I developed a range of sculptures that use
everyday materials in order to raise awareness and promote discussion around
HIV/AIDS.” - Dr Lilian Mary Nabulime
Dr. Lilian Nabulime is a Ugandan sculptor artist and senior
lecturer at Makerere University. Her works of art and their orientation towards
tackling issues of African Society and Sexuality earns her the honour of being
a powerful advocate for the African woman. Using sculpture as an art form to
address social subjects often regarded as sensitive or taboo, her agenda has
been to communicate across language and literacy barriers through visual
expression. Her artwork in recent years has been tailored to actively confront
HIV/AIDS, and has done so very cleverly; most notably her transparent soap
sculptures, which resemble male and female genitalia, convey an important message
through a simple, every-day object which is commonly associated with
cleanliness. The multiple meaning behind the soap sculptures is immense to the
ordinary individual and delivers an urge for open discussion on the topic of
sexuality and HIV/AIDS.
By Philani H. Dhlamini
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