Collin Sekajugo Ugandan-Rwandese , b. 1980

Sekajugo's own artwork reflects on his social conscience, highlighting the link between art and community in Africa. His goal is to "use art to change lives"

A multimedia artist, Sekajugo works largely on the subject of identity, situating it in his locale. His artworks explore issues of social, cultural, economic and political identity within a larger context of the globe. The artist often deploys his figure as a central character in his painting collages as a metaphor for his multi-ethnicity and to counter the prejudices that accompany such a complex identity. He also masks his subjects face or certain body parts to symbolize the dichotomy of identity versus discrimination based on ethnicity or social class.

 

The artist’s technique of recycling locally sourced material like Polypropylene bags in his work is a response to the inclusion of contemporary consumer materials in his art. Conversely, Sekajugo’s collage paintings are symbolic of his relationship with the community: to create a narrative that the public can relate to through working with found objects like denim fabrics and waste paper. Ultimately, his collages invite conversation on durability and sustainability as a metaphor to the cliché Africa does not produce art.

 

Sekajugo has travelled extensively in Africa, Europe and North America, participating in international artists' conferences, workshops and residencies through which he is quickly gaining international name recognition. His artwork holds the distinction of being a part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC, as well as other notable private and corporate collections in the US, Europe, Africa and Asia.

 

Collin Sekajugo is winner of the 2019 Human Rights Award Uganda.