Kaplan Gadson
Musinguzi Gadson Kaplan comes from Buhoma at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park headquarters in Uganda. He studied art and design at Michelangelo College of Creative Arts in Kisubi. His major styles are scribbling, pen and pencil drawing, painting and sculpting.
HOW DID YOU GET TO GORILLAS?
I was born in Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. I have seen gorillas for the whole of my life and I remember at an early age we used to draw postcards with gorilla pictures to sell to tourists who come to Uganda to see gorillas in the wild. I have been using gorillas as my best source of inspiration to do my art because gorillas are so special animals in my life.
WHAT MAKES GORILLAS so SPECIAL?
For humans the heavy bodies of the gentle giants, their straight body with the broad chest and shoulders, the strong arms with large hands and feet often look frightening and inspire us with respect. Each gorilla has an unmistakeable profile that is reflected in the noseprint. Their view may be roguish, full of dignity, wise, screaming and sad – and the observer still looks for the answer to the question how far men and apes are separated in their social and emotional worlds. To meet gorillas in the zoo or in the wild and to observe their behaviour are moments of happiness in the encounter of humans and animals.
HOW MY WORK CAN HELP GORILLAs
In sculpture, drawing, photography and installation I express my concern „respect and esteem for the character of the animal – in this case the gorilla“ as an artist. The artwork in exhibitions can increase awareness for the critically endangered species and its habitat. If somebody buys „gorilla artwork“, she or he develops a personal proximity to the endangered species, and the owner of the artwork gets engaged in the conservation of the species.
GALLERY
