In January 2024, we were invited by the Africa Arts Kollective (AAK) to Kampala, Uganda, to develop a design project in close collaboration with seven local artists and artisans. All participants work with imported waste glass—a material that poses a significant challenge in Uganda, where glass recycling systems are still limited or largely absent. Much of this glass enters the country through tourism and embassies, where beverages are consumed in glass bottles without a viable recycling infrastructure.

AAK operates an Art Community Center in the Kyebando slum, where residents are trained in glassblowing as a means of creating sustainable economic opportunities. During an intensive three-week collaboration, we worked side by side with the artists and artisans to design souvenirs made from waste glass, each telling a personal story about Uganda. These objects quite literally send the by-products of tourism back home with visitors—transforming discarded glass into meaningful souvenirs with a narrative.

Together, we co-designed and developed a series of objects that blend traditional glassblowing techniques with contemporary design. The resulting works were presented both locally at the Design Hub in Kampala and internationally at Museum Arnhem. At the museum, the works were included in an auction, with all proceeds transferred directly to the participating artists. The income enabled them to purchase a glass grinding machine—an essential tool for their continued practice.

The artisans are now continuing their work under the name Masterpiece Development Foundation (MDF). The auction played a crucial role in supporting this transition and helping them establish a new foundation. We remain in close contact and are actively exploring ways to continue and expand this collaboration in the near future.

Each artist developed their own object and story during the project. The individual narratives can be found by clicking on the portraits of the participating artists.

This project was made possible with the support of Stichting DOEN.