Acaye Kerunen: Neena, Aan Uthii - PACE, London

Acaye Kerunen - Aleng 2 (I am Beautiful)

On a recent trip to London I took some time out to see the Acaye Kerunen exhibition: Neena, Aan Uthii (translated from Alur as - See me, I am here) at PACE (close to Regent St & Liberty's).  I first saw Acaye Kerunen's work at Unravel at Barbican, London - check it out here.  

Acaye Kerunen - Aleng 2 (I am Beautiful) detail

Acaye Kerunen is a Ugandan artist who works with local artisans to source natural materials from her country, which they dye, weave, braid and crochet.  She then turns them into sculptural assemblages.

Acaye Kerunen - Ouganda 2

The works represent the Ugandan environment as they can only be made from what grows.  The traditional work of women, rather than being made into everyday items, is presented as contemporary art.  The sculptures link human labour and the natural world and provide an alternative platform for traditional women's skills.

Acaye Kerunen - Ott Ker 2 (House of Reign) vessel & Yoo Leng (The Path is Clear) on wall

The passing down, through generations, of these artisanal skills suggests a collective memory is at work here.

Acaye Kerunen - The Reckoning

Acaye Kerunen - The Reckoning (detail)

Acaye Kerunen - Yoo Unen (The Path has Revealed Itself)

Made of such materials as bark cloth, raffia, banana fibre, sisal and palm leaves, dyed with natural dyes, they are very colourful and tactile...

Acaye Kerunen - Kaka Lengu (Place of Beauty)

I thought this was a great exhibition. It's on until Saturday 15 February.  It's not very large but well worth a visit.