Emmie Nume, a Ugandan artist born in 1999 in Kampala, Uganda, has rapidly made his mark in the art world. From March to June 2021, he resided as an artist at Silhouette Projects under Afriart Gallery. This ignited his artistic expression and propelled it into its own distinct visual language.
Nume’s paintings and drawings mirror his deeply intuitive practice. Focusing primarily on portraiture, he adeptly captures the essence of emotions. This is through spontaneous and free expression, devoid of meticulous formalities or academic calculations. The seamless combination of spontaneous abstraction and intricate figurative complexities speaks volumes about the artistic freedom Nume grants himself during his creative process.
Charcoal, pastels, and acrylics on canvas and paper serve as Nume’s preferred mediums. However, he goes beyond traditional boundaries, incorporating collages, found objects, and other innovative techniques. This spontaneous use of various media enhances the richness and depth of his works.
Nume draws inspiration from his personal experiences, using them as a point of departure for his visual expressions. His artworks become a profound language that delves into the internal and the intimate. Additionally, it surfaces the unseen and effectively communicates with the viewer. With remarkable boldness, Nume confronts the audience with his own fragility and vulnerability, creating an immersive experience that feels almost too intimate to witness.
Through his visual language, Nume fearlessly evokes unsettling and uncomfortable emotions, making viewers feel like voyeurs, peering into the most fragile aspects of existence. His artworks serve as powerful and captivating reflections of humanity’s most crucial moments.
In 2023, Nume held his debut solo exhibition, “WHEN THOUGHTS ATTACK ME,” at Afriart Gallery, solidifying his presence in the art world. Additionally, he has participated in group exhibitions such as “I DRAW, THEREFORE I THINK” (South-South Platform, 2021) and “WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE” (Afriart Gallery, 2022). Nume’s works have also been showcased at prestigious art events including Art Basel Miami Beach, Liste Art Fair Basel, Joburg Art Fair, ARCO Lisbon, and Investec Cape Town Art Fair.
Since February 2023, Nume has been an artist-in-residence at the Tracey Emin Foundation in Margate, UK, furthering his artistic exploration and growth.
Emmie Nume’s artistic journey invites viewers to explore the fragile and intimate aspects of the human experience. Through his distinct visual language, he enables audiences to navigate the subtle nuances between depression and love and to comprehend the complexities of the past and present. By embracing vulnerability, Nume has carved out a unique artistic voice that both captivates and challenges. Furthermore, he leaves a lasting impact on those who encounter his evocative creations.
