Against the Norm

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reports that “Against the Norm,” an exhibition at AKA Gallery on Plot 44 Bukoto Street in Kamwokya, Kampala, brings together works by Ugandan self-taught artists Ibra Kitimbo and Paul Kintu. In a July 19, 2026 arts piece, Dominic Muwanguzi frames the show around the long-running debate over formal art education versus independent artistic development, arguing that artists outside academic systems can sometimes challenge conventions more freely.

According to the report, Kitimbo is known for a distinctive “flowing water” method that he has developed over many years. The technique reportedly began after one of his paintings accidentally fell into water, prompting him to experiment with incorporating that effect into his practice. Kintu’s work is described as featuring stylized female figures, elongated necks, prominent hair and a green palette, with his interest in nature and flowers influencing both the colour choices and atmosphere of the paintings.

The article places the exhibition in a wider historical context, noting that art training has moved from apprenticeship and patronage models to modern institutional systems, while self-taught artists have often faced scepticism before gaining recognition. Henri Rousseau is cited as an example of an artist once dismissed by critics but later valued in modern art history.

The Independent’s account presents the exhibition as a reflection on experimentation, resilience and creative independence within Uganda’s contemporary art scene. It suggests that Kitimbo and Kintu’s approaches matter not only for their visual appeal, but also for how they invite viewers to consider unconventional problem-solving and the value of working beyond established rules.