About!

Koloto Siraji is a Ugandan conceptual artist, dancer, thinker, and researcher whose multifaceted artistic practice traverses film, installation, and performance. Grounded in the rich philosophical fabric of Bagisu traditions, his work is a dynamic fusion of ancestral wisdom and contemporary expression. Central to Koloto’s artistic methodology is a profound engagement with Bagisu theories and philosophies of art. He merges traditional concepts with modern practices. This method prompts him to rediscover the ancient wisdom of dance by deconstructing Bagisu traditional dances and blending them with urban/street dance styles, creating a poignant set of movements that express a contemporary identity that is significantly tailored with Bagisu art and rituals of movement

Navigating the realms of post-colonialism and decolonization, Koloto explores the human body as a medium to convey new narratives. Intrigued by the potential of the body in space and time to communicate information and encapsulate human experiences, His art is deeply rooted in his ancestry. A distinctive characteristic of Koloto’s artistic work is its refusal to offer direct answers. Instead, his work is a call to reflection, inviting the audience to feel, think, and question the complex dimensions of the topics his work addresses. Koloto is particularly interested in making people feel, think, and question aspects related to gender, politics, and climate change, human rights, social, and cultural issues, Triggering people to contemplate and take individual responsibility for their actions.

My approach?

Click Image

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?

In 2010, I founded Ensibuko Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that extends free dance and arts to communities that would otherwise luck access to artistic expression. This has been my portal for cultural activism and social change. Through which I have also impacted thousands of young dance artists through free mentorship, workshops, outreaches, performances, events and residencies.

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 and Time.

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