In Memoriam
Geoffrey Mukasa - Uganda
Geoffrey Mukasa was born on June 21, 1954, in Kampala to Rose Mary Wasswa and Dr. Ssembeguya. He was a descendent of one of Uganda’s most prominent and historic political figures, Sir Apollo Kaggwa (1864-1927), who was appointed Prime Minister of Buganda from 1890 to 1926. Geoffrey spent part of his childhood in the privileged environment of the palace of the Buganda Kingdom.
He attended primary and secondary school in Kampala from 1961 to 1973. In 1976, he was admitted to the London College of Arts and Crafts, but he was refused entry to the UK due to visa problems. He then went to India to study Fine Art at the University of Lucknow from 1978 to 1980, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Art.
When he came back to Uganda in 1981, he worked as a graphic designer with the Ministry of Information and Uganda Television. During this time he continued to develop his talent for drawing and painting. He worked together with artist friends – the late Romano Lutwama, Fabian Mpagi and Eli Kyeyune – who were some of Ugandan master painters in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
For over 20 years he was a full time artist and well known in Uganda and abroad. Geoffrey Mukasa passed away in 2009 at the age of 55. He is survived by two daughters.
Solo Exhibitions
- 2011 – ‘In Memoriam’ exhibition, Tulifanya Gallery, Kampala, Uganda
- 1997 – Tulifanya Gallery, Kampala, Uganda (Annual solo exhibition until 2009)
- 1992 – Gallery Cafe, Kampala, Uganda
- 1981 – Halder Gallery, Lucknow University, India.
Group Exhibitions
- 2010 – Gallery Lumiere d’Afrique, Brussels, Belgium (“African Summer”)
- 2009 – Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (“Independence Exhibition”)
- 2008 – World Bank Art Collection, Washington, D.C., USA
- 2007 – Copenhagen, Denmark (“Art from East Africa”)
- 2006 – Sydney, Australia (“African Fine Art”)
- 2006 – International Art Expo, Montreal, Canada
- 2006 – Group Exhibition, Tulifanya Gallery, Kampala, Uganda
- 2005 – East African Biennale, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
(Regular participation until 2009) - 2003 – Gallery Six, Florida, USA (“Soul of Black Folks”)
- 2003 – Parish Gallery, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., USA
- 2003 – Nommo Gallery, Kampala, Uganda
- 2001 – Nommo Gallery, Kampala, Uganda
- 1999 – Group exhibition of Ugandan Artists, Paris, France
- 1996 – Botanic Museum, Brussels, Belgium
- 1996 – Uganda Contemporary Art, Aschaffenburg, Germany
- 1995 – Africus Johannesburg Biennale, South Africa
- 1994 – National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi Kenya (“Colours of Uganda”)
- 1992 – Stubentor Gallery, Vienna, Austria (“Ugandan Modern Art”)
- 1990 – Ugandan – German Cultural Society, Kampala, Uganda
- 1988 – Ugandan Artists Association, Kampala, Uganda
- 1982 – Group show in Kanpur, Lucknow & Chandigarh, India
From this Exhibition
Publications & Press
FRANK WHALLEY - The East African