MUTUBA at Kala Sangam, Bradford

MUTUBA – A Powerful Fusion of Dance, Film, and Visual Art

Step into the world of MUTUBA, an interdisciplinary performance by Ugandan artist and lecturer Antonio Bukhar Ssebuuma, curated in collaboration with Courtney Spencer. This immersive experience weaves together live movement, film, images and objects to explore the cultural and spiritual significance of the Mutuba tree, whose bark is carefully harvested and transformed into the revered Lubugo cloth.

At the heart of MUTUBA lies Antonio’s deeply embodied performance, where he takes on the dual role of the tree and its bark, guiding audiences through the visceral journey of being stripped, reshaped, and ultimately renewed. Through movement, sound, and striking visual imagery, the performance mirrors the traditional process of making barkcloth, a practice passed down through generations. Audiences will feel the weight of loss as the tree’s protective outer layer is peeled away, only to experience the resilience of nature as it is wrapped in banana leaves to heal. Meanwhile, the extracted bark undergoes its own metamorphosis—beaten, soaked, twisted, and stretched—before emerging as a non-woven fabric, rich with cultural meaning.

This phase of MUTUBA serves as a foundation for a much larger project. It brings the story to life through key elements, including a 15-minute film with evocative footage and a rich soundscape that captures the rhythms of tradition and transformation, immersing audiences in the textures and sounds of the process. The work also integrates photography and Ugandan artefacts, deepening the connection to its cultural roots.

Audiences will have the unique opportunity to engage in a post-show discussion exploring themes of culture, environmental sustainability, and artistic innovation, and how these connect to the idea of resilience. We invite you to experience this early phase of MUTUBA, share in its journey, and contribute to an evolving dialogue as we continue to develop the project.

Supported by Arts Council England.