About!

Koloto Siraji is a Ugandan conceptual artist and researcher whose multidisciplinary practice spans film, installation, and performance. Guided by the Bagisu theories and philosophies of art, his work interrogates colonial histories, global economies, and the architectures of power. Through anti-imperialist visual languages, he traces lines of resistance, solidarity, and interconnected being. Emerging from a background in dance, Koloto weaves movement, sculpture, fabric, found objects, archival fragments, and immersive spatial environments. His work becomes a living matter and memory, where gesture, material, and history continuously reshape one another. He interlaces cultural heritage, rituals, indigenous knowledges, and ancestral presence with African futurism, opening portals between the remembered past and imagined futures

 

Koloto’s practice resists closure. It does not resolve, but rather unsettles—inviting viewers into states of contemplation, tension, and sensory reflection. His works function as thresholds rather than answers. Where meaning is not delivered but slowly encountered. In this space, audiences are asked to sit with complexity: to feel the weight of history, the fragility of identity, and the possibilities embedded in collective resistance. Across his evolving bodies of work, Koloto positions art as both a site of inquiry and a space for possibility—one where inherited histories can be confronted, indigenous knowledge can be centred, and new ways of imagining collective futures can emerge. Koloto is also the founder of Ensibuko Arts Foundation, a nonprofit cultural organisation committed to supporting cultural heritage, preserving artistic practices, and using the arts as a tool for community empowerment and social transformation.

How I work?

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Performances

My performances are often fit for Alternate venues, open space and exhibition formats. Text, film, costumes and sound make a big component of my performance approach

Dance Films

I create films that research humanity. Bringing the human imagination to visual reality. I work with lens, movement and object to create a single body of work...

Installation Art

I play with found objects, discarded materials to create temporary sculptures, adding to text, images and archival materials to create spaces that represent the diversity of visual art.....

Artistic Profile!

Welcome to my world of research, tales, beliefs, thoughts and opinions.
All my works are influenced by how I feel and think about situations.

Artistic Background?

I’m immensely trained in the bagisu traditional artistry. Since 2004, I have been working with traditional dance elders in my tribe “Bagisu” as a student, teacher and community choreographer for the traditional dance gatherings and rituals of movement. It is from this rich artistic background that I explore philosophies and theories that shape my contemporary identity.

Awards and Grants

2024 FRANKLIN FURNACE FUND Award/grant for performance art (USA)

2024 CAMARGO FELLOSHIP for artistic research (FRANCE)

2022/23 FELLOWS AWARD award and grant for cultural and artistic response to environmental change, awarded by Prince Claus Fund. (NETHERLANDS)

2023 PACT ZOLLVEREIN for artistic residency (GERMANY)

2018 INNEMBA AWARD for cultural influence in Bagisu cultural gatherings (UGANDA)

Impact and Legacy?

Dwelling in a background that is culturally, spiritually and economically damaged. I find my path through
creating incubation processes involving practicing my art on a living body.

I draw my interest to understand the relationship
between the Body, Space, Time and Rituals

Artistic Statement

My art involves Body movement, Film and construction of objects, sculptures, and installations that explore representations and activities of political, social and cultural powers.
Artisitic Statement

CREATIONS

My work is a result of deep artistic research and is intimate to me. I produce my work as Performances, Dance films and Installation art. Take a walk through my works.
More Work

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I conceptualize and curate artistic exhibitions in Uganda’s heritage sites,

I have partnered with Uganda Prison Services through Product of

I grew up performing Kadodi, a traditional dance from my

During the CAREC program organized by Prince Claus Fund and

Enquire now

Give me a call or fill in the form below and I will contact you. I will endeavor to answer all inquiries within 24 hours on business days.