Interview with Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine

Posted under Interviews on 12th December, 2010

Mojo: Your work in exhibition "Africa Uploaded" features a photographic perspective on Uganda and Mozambique. What message you attempt to send out through these photos?
Ntare: I always look for striking images when I set out to take a photo. I do not set out with a particular message to try and send out through my photography. I am not a preacher. To borrow from the title for the whole series, I believe that each one of my photos shows a slice of life of Uganda and Mozambique "AS IT IS!"

Mojo: How do you evaluate the current situation in Africa, and to what extent the situation has an impact on art?
Ntare: Africa is hot right now, in more ways than one. This has really forced me to keep shooting in new and innovative ways. Of late I have been shooting a lot of High Definition Video, which I am really excited about.
Artistically speaking, I love what is going on in Africa right now. The World Festival of Black Arts was a huge success in Dakar, Senegal this past week. I actually just got a message from a musician friend of mine Somi, who just sang for President Wade, President Gaddafi, President Sirleaf-Johnson at Dakar's Presidential Palace on a live broadcast to the Francophone world.
There are so many incredible arts festivals happening on the continent right now! Its even more exciting to see that the work from the continent is now making its way to Dubai. I look forward to being a continued part of this wave that is crossing traditional boundaries.

Mojo: Who inspires you as a photographer?
Ntare: That's always such a difficult question to try and answer. But whenever I am pressed on this question I usually respond with the name Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo. He is a wonderful studio photographer I met years ago when my car broke down a few hours outside of Kampala. His passion and commitment to his work left me awe inspired.

About Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine is an artist working in the mediums of photography, theatre, film and television. Based in Los Angeles, Ntare spends several months a year living and working in various countries in Africa.
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