Ugandan artist Kansiime Brian Lister tells stories that connect the past and present, one canvas at a time. Lister’s studio based in the capital city of Kampala is his refuge, a place where he develops and fine tweaks his ideas until the compositions are brought to life with his paintbrush. Intentional strokes of oil paint, built in layers come together in a meticulous arrangement, to create figurative paintings in the style of realism.
Image courtesy of Mitochondria Gallery
Lister draws inspiration from those around him. His sisters and friends are often represented in his work as they have been his greatest cheer leaders and support system during his pursuits in the arts.
Still early in his professional career which commenced after graduating from Makerere University, Kampala in 2019. Lister has participated in exhibitions and fairs across North America, Asia, and Africa. His paintings from the “Timeless Echoes” series have received a warm welcome from the art world. These paintings are executed in a style that fuses elements of classical and contemporary realism in a manner that creates a visual singularity unique to Lister. His subjects are juxtaposed with sculptures, paintings, and artifacts from the early to middle periods of the Modern Era.
Image courtesy of Mitochondria Gallery
Kansiime has put together a solo exhibition titled “Threads of Time” featuring works from the “Timeless Echoes” series. For Lister, this exhibition is about a journey of self-discovery, allowing oneself the grace to experiment and refine their vision, while telling stories that reflect on our humanity.
Image courtesy of Mitochondria Gallery
His subjects are positioned indoors, they are postured standing, sitting, or laying in rooms that are warm and reminiscent of times past. A huge inspiration for Brian in creating the compositions of these rooms was his visit to the Louvre Museum. It renewed his interest and appreciation of paintings, and sculptures from the Old Masters of art. Some of the ornately framed paintings in the rooms created by Lister are an ode to painters that have inspired his practice.
Image courtesy of Mitochondria Gallery
The titles of Lister’s paintings are very intentional, as they provide clues to the underlying messages Lister emits through his work.
Kansiime states , “Through this process, I learned the importance of weaving together diverse influences and perspectives to create a cohesive and impactful body of work. I discovered that every detail, from the choice of garments to the placement of objects, contributes to the overarching narrative and emotional resonance of the artwork. Ultimately, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that art has the power to transcend time and space, connecting us to the stories of the past while illuminating the path forward. It is a constant evolution, a reflection of our humanity, and a timeless echo that resonates with the soul.” Threads of Time, is on view from April 15th through May 4th at Mitochondria Gallery, located in the east downtown district of Houston, Texas.
Timi Etebu is a writer based in Houston, Texas. His interests are in amplifying the voices of artists from Africa and the African Diaspora. He is the founder of Mitochondria Gallery.
