Mminge Mark, 26 is a student at Uganda’s second largest public university Kyambogo, offering a Bachelor’s degree in art and industrial design currently in his year two. Mminge’s passion and enthusiasm for art can be noticed by anyone that has stayed around him for a while. The love he has for his art pieces and tools has him dedicate most hours of his day to bettering his God given talent.
Mminge is one of the very many ambitious young artists trying to make the hustle work even when still in school. He says the hustle is working and he believes it will continue working for him because he is a special multitalented person in this field of art.
‘’I am blessed enough because I can actually do both mosaic, which is actually a rare skill among the many artists, and Imthe painting meaning I can shoot two birds at ago’’ he explained.
When asked how he is capable of being multi-talented in the field of art he said, “it has all been a result of his exposure.” Mminge says he holds a certificate and diploma in art which he attained from Nagenda International Academy of Art and Design Namulanda. He says he was lucky enough to discover himself that he was meant to do art and decided to branch into an institute after completion of his O’level. He believes this exposure that he got from his one year of doing a certificate and the two years of doing a diploma before joining university have given him an upper hand in bettering his skill.
‘’I was lucky I discovered myself earlier enough and I decided to do an art course right after my senior 4. It wasn’t because I didn’t have brains but self discovery had me decide not do A ‘level’’ Mminge happily said.
He added: “Honestly I felt A ‘Level was going to waste much of my time, I imagined sitting in a class of subsidiary mathematics yet I have my talent that would be doing a disservice to myself.”
Mminge’s innovativeness and creativity is one that you will take time to see. He uses maize husks, combs and sticks while doing his rough art work. He says these materials bring out best the abstract he needs to see.
Achievements.
Mminge’s lifetime achievement so far was when he and his friend through their initiative of Banana Fiber Impression designed a mosaic of Pope Francis and it raised 400 million shillings during the fundraising of the Namugongo martyrs shrine. This art piece is currently being kept in the archives of Rubaga cathedral. As a staunch catholic, he believes he together with his team added so much to the religious sector of this country.
Mminge through his friend that stays in Denmark and owns an art gallery has managed to have his art pieces exported to Denmark and has been able to earn some money off his art work. He says he annually has a number of his art pieces sold in Denmark and earns over 200 dollars from each of them.
He adds that he has had customers locally making orders with him and on a good piece he’s capable of raising between 200,000 – 400, 000 Ugandan shillings. He however tips that the most important thing is that people do appreciate his work and this has had him grow his network of people.
Future
“With the pace that am moving at, am thinking of having an art gallery of my own and I’ll surely achieve more with the help of God.”
Word to the youth.
“Work hard in silence.“
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