Female body as a source of inspiration for sculptural ideas depicting conflicts in Uganda

Abstract

Over two decades now, Uganda has experienced forms of conflicts that have affected its citizen in different ways, especially after independence of 1962. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of using the Female Body as a source of inspiration for sculptural ideas in stone depicting conflicts in Uganda. It was done for the need to widen the use of the female body in sculpture and obtaining new materials for sculptors during the production process. The study covered Uganda as a whole but narrowing to selected areas of Kampala and Wakiso districts. The objectives of the study were; Selection of artists who have used the Female Body as a source of inspiration, To establish factors limiting Ugandan artists creating sculptures using the Female Body as a source of inspiration To produce sculptural ideas in stone dust depicting conflicts in Uganda using the Female Body as a source of inspiration. The study used qualitative reseach design. It involved 60 participants who were conversant with the use of the female body as a source of inspiration and the history of conflict in Uganda, who were selected using convenient and purposive sampling techniques. Information obtained was interpreted through sketching and studio work capturing conflicts in Uganda. The research findings were presented through three dimensional (3D) and two dimensional (2D) sculptures depict causes, effects and remedies of conflicts in Uganda. In coercive governance, it was found out that the act was generating a disconnection between leaders and their subjects, many agencies coming in to sensitize the population about the rights regarding good governance as illustrated in plate XXX. The study found out that the female body has not been taken seriously as a source of inspiration for sculptural ideas depicting conflicts. The study recommends that more studies should also be carried out using the female body to portray the other types of conflicts.