Jose Hendo Art
UGANDA PAVILION WAN ACEL 60TH VENICE BIENNIAL
Uganda National Pavilion
April 18th – November 24th, 2024
Open Wednesday to Sunday,
11am – 7pm
Bragora Gallery, Castello 3496
Uganda is participating in this Venice Biennale with the theme “Wan Acel, Alur for “We are one“. The Ugandan pavilion, curator Elizabeth Acaye Kerunen, features works by Artisan Weavers’ Collective, Taga Nuwagaba, Sana Gateja, Xenson Ssenkaba, Jose Hendo and Odur Ronald.
“Wan Acel invites you to de-classify art through the work of a diverse group of thirty-one intergenerational artists. Working both individually and in a collective, they examine their contexts of art production, interrogating prevailing narratives that serve to construct and maintain hierachies of art creation.
The titles, Wan Acel | Tuli Bamu | Turibamwe, from languages spoken in wider Africa, are representative of the borderless origins of the exhibiting artists. Through explorations of collective memory, Wan Acel reveals and offers an intimate, multi-sensory kaleidoscope of materiality and artisanship.
We invite you to ask: “How are you?” instead of “Who are you!?, Why are you here!?” Library of Weaving (LOW), by the Artisan Weavers Collective, consists of patterns of weaving and shapes found in mats and basketry exhibited as an encyclopedic catalogue.
The individual artists of the pavillion are: Sanaa Gateja, Jose Hendo, Taga Nuwagaba, Xenson Ssenkaaba, and Odur Ronald. Their works are composed of recycled paperbeads, barkcloth, bamboo, upcycled wedding gowns, rubber and watercolours. Some of these works form part of a choreographed audience-participatory parade through Venice.
Through Wan Acel, I propose that we say, one to the other, in shared humanity: Welcome here! You belong!”
Elizabeth Acaye Kerunen
Jose Hendo Art
Resonance
Artist- Jose Hendo
Title- ‘Resonance’
Year- 2003
Medium- Barkcloth, wooden pegs for fastenings
Spec- 3D Installation soft sculpture / Wearable Art
This multiple piece soft sculpture-ensemble has deep pocket-like cylindrical shapes. The concertina sleeves collapse into multiple folds. This whole timeless ensemble can also be used in multiple ways. Traditional shapes can be interpreted differently, reassembled to create new forms using concealed fastenings for harmonious resonance. An impulsive shape emerges where the surprise is in the detail.
Inspired by the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this soft sculpture of organically coloured barkcloth supported on a specially commissioned mannequin comes from “Resonance” my design series focussing on circular design. It is biodegradable, a cyclical approach of using earth’s treasures as a foundation for a circular/sustainable future. Nature’s biodegradable materials at the end of their use can be harmlessly returned to the natural system from which they came, hence the title ‘Resonance’. This concept collection had to be biodegradable. Resonance is about the interconnectedness of the human to human and also the environment. How we live in harmony with the world around us and each other. REVERBERATION, energy bouncing from one to another creating a ripple effect…
Barkcloth has been in use for over 600yrs, one of the oldest materials in Africa. It is sustainable, biodegradable and hence environmentally friendly and still in use today. This arboreal leather-like material is durable and does not fray, yet it doesn’t require the same chemical-intensive tanning as leather. It’s a centuries-old technique, one that is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
This piece celebrates the oneness we share through our humanity and our interconnectedness with nature.
Mother Earth Weeps
Artist- Jose Hendo
Title- ‘Mother Earth Weeps’
Year- 2021
Medium- Barkcloth, up-cycled bridal gown, recycled CD’s and EOL tulle.
Spec- 3D Installation soft sculpture
This ensemble is part of my PAST PRESENT FUTURE design series which introduces sustainability in the form of REDUCE REUSE and RECYCLE Using barkcloth for this ensemble illustrates the element of REDUCE. This cloth is sustainably produced, thus reducing our impact on natural resources. Inspired by the River Nile, the longest river in Africa. The river that in the PAST, and now the PRESENT, does what technology does – connects people for leisure and for economic purposes. This river has supported life for generations, including one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, and is a symbol of resilience and certainty. The rippling waters of the Nile, tears of Mother Earth glistening under the African sun are represented by the CDs on the train of the gown. This train is more than four metres long referring to the length of the Nile of over 4,000 miles. The Nile connects 11 countries creating the Nile Valley. This is represented by the swirls of barkcloth down both sides of the installation which also references the tributaries of the Nile.
Unfortunately the amount of plastic that litters the Nile flowing toward the Mediterranean Sea is immense. The CD embellishment also represents this, as CDs are made from plastic that is non-recyclable and not easy to cut, so are left as they are to make a statement on the need for responsible production. CDs are a form of technology now superseded by newer technologies, but are included in this design as part of REUSE and RECYCLE. The smoky white water rapids of the White Nile flowing northwards are reflected in the tulle, with the ivory part of the gown, an up-cycled wedding gown, being the REUSE aspect.
The head piece represents the globe and time ticking by. The River Nile represents the PAST PRESENT and FUTURE, a symbol of resilience and certainty. Now how do we make sure that this river will not be impacted by our actions so that it continues to inspire and support future generations? Perhaps makers of technology can be inspired to consider reducing the amount of components that cannot be repurposed?
There are no facial features on Mother Earth because we should not focus on the difference between us as people but see each other as fellow humans. As such we can work together to save our planet.
‘Mother Earth Weeps’ is asking us to do something. It is a responsibility for every man woman and child to help slow down climate change.
Melting Glacier’ from the ‘Signs Of The Now’ series
Artist- Jose Hendo
Title- ‘Melting Glacier’ from the ‘Signs Of The Now’ series
Year- 2019
Medium- Barkcloth Spec- 3D Wearable art/soft sculpture.
This piece is taken from the ‘Signs Of The Now’ design series and the concept is in direct response to what is happening in the world at the present time. Landfill space running out, the plastic in the oceans, the melting glaciers and polar ice, the list goes on. If we do not act now. When? Responsibility lies with everyone all along the supply chain including the end user. Taking inspiration from past concepts, research and designs. Using the sustainable principles “Reduce Reuse Recycle” to create this ensemble where the message encourages change. Made from different brown, black barkcloth, and the cream one which is a new innovation using the same brown/terracotta barkcloth as the skirt. The three stripes on the garment stand for REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE a call to action! NOW IS THE TIME FOR CLIMATE ACTION.
The Common Threads
Artist- Jose Hendo
Title- ‘The Common Threads’
Year- 2020
Medium- Barkcloth on barkcloth, distressed up-cycled wooden frame sourced in Uganda
Spec- 3D Wall Art
The world came to a standstill in 2020, the coronavirus spread through the world like wildfire sadly taking many of our loved ones. No borders stopped it from going through. Social distancing became the normal, bringing isolation and aloneness.
In time human resilience kicked in, and fortunately having e-connections and telephones as the main means of communication kept us connected.
A time to think, reflect and reset our priorities with regard to the impact on our planet and each other. The need for survival like food, shelter, clothing, relationships and more are the common threads that we share in our humanity. We are all human and all live on Earth, being human is our strongest common thread. “What we have in common is what makes us stronger together”. We are custodians of this planet and need to help stop climate change to give future generations a chance for a better world.
The artwork is made using a single strip of barkcloth manipulated to outline the continental landmasses, representing the common thread that connects us all, with the short strips to represent social distancing and isolation. The rugged edges of the larger piece of barkcloth illustrate our states of mind during those dark times. The artwork is delicately suspended within the distressed up-cycled wooden timber frame. While “social distancing” became the byword in 2020 there is always hidden social distancing involved in how we interact with other people.
About
‘José Hendo’ takes a fresh approach to contemporary fashion design, challenging the obsolescence nature of fashion, and the throw away culture. The label is passionately conscious of the times and is inspired by the world around us. It uses eco-friendly fabrics as much as possible, creating unique one-off pieces…
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