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 significantly enriches the 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 the lives of 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, economics, and cultural issues, encouraging people to contemplate and take individual responsibility for their actions.
Artistic History: Originating from the Bagisu tribe, the traditional dance gatherings and rituals of the Bagisu have been integral to Koloto’s conscious artistry. Since 2004, he has actively engaged with traditional dance elders as a student, teacher, and community choreographer within these cultural practices. In addition to his roots in traditional dance, Koloto has explored urban dance genres such as breakdance, popping, krump, hip-hop dance, and Afro fusion. This diverse exposure led him to embrace movement without adhering to a specific genre, identifying himself as a movement alchemist. However, Koloto remains grounded in the philosophies and theories from the Bagisu history of art to shape his contemporary identity.
Working Experience: Koloto has expanded his artistic narratives, knowledge, and skills both locally and internationally through performances, exhibitions, and workshops. Collaborating with diverse communities, including galleries, festivals, governmental and non-governmental organizations, embassies, corporate entities, universities, colleges, artistic and community centers, as well as prisons and rehabilitation facilities, He produces performances and exhibitions that tackle pressing social issues and amplify underrepresented narratives. These encompass themes such as gender politics, climate change, human rights, social inclusion, and access to knowledge
Koloto also conducts advanced and open-level dance and movement workshops guided by Bagisu philosophies and theories of dance and rituals of movement. Within these workshops, he fosters interactive dialogues, team-building, and self-awareness, nurturing individual and collective growth. Koloto’s conscious efforts aim to tailor body consciousness and the unconscious mind, revealing the shared humanity within each of us. His work has gained recognition worldwide, showcased in countries such as Uganda, Colombia, Tanzania, Germany, Rwanda, Malaysia, Kenya, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Koloto has been honored with multiple awards, including the Prince Claus Fund’s international award for cultural and artistic response to environmental change.
Additionally, In 2010 Koloto founded Ensibuko Arts Foundation (EAF), a nonprofit cultural organization aimed at extending dance and arts to communities that lack access to artistic expression, fostering the development and preservation of culture in underrepresented communities
KOLOTO SIRAJI IN MEDIA
KOLOTO SIRAJI FEATURED BY PRINCE CLAUS FUND NETHERLANDS FOLLOWING HIS AWARD FOR CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
https://princeclausfund.org/awardees/koloto-siraji
GERMAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE PACT ZOLLVEREIN TALKS ABOUT KOLOTO SIRAJI
https://www.pact-zollverein.de/en/journal/residencyinsights-57
KOLOTO SIRAJI FEATURED IN SOFT POWER NEWS UGANDA
https://softpower.ug/ugandan-artist-koloto-siraji-among-winners-of-2022-prince-claus-mentorship-awards/
AMBASADOR BOVEN KARIN OF THE NETHERLANDS TO UGANDA TALKS ABOUT KOLOTO SIRAJI
https://x.com/Karin_Boven/status/1672213944096681985?s=20
MUSIC IN AFRICA MAGAZINE GIVES A MENTION TO KOLOTO SIRAJI
https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/prince-claus-fund-announces-recipients-2022-mentorship-awards
KOLOTO SIRAJI AND HIS SOCIAL DANCE MOVEMENT DOCUMENTED
https://youtu.be/X3XDReI2H9U?si=jBz6YYaXdo6dVVOl
KOLOTO SIRAJI FEATURED IN A SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM BY UGANDA BROADCASTING SERVICES (UBC TV) AS PART OF THE 2017 SOCIAL IMPACT STORIES FEATURING LIGHT UP UGANDA. NARRATING HIS STORY WITH YOUTH PROGRAMS
https://youtu.be/xB-S9TEhKy8?si=KzjwDbDqXtkjKmRl
ART NEWS AFRICA WRITES ABOUT KOLOTO SIRAJI
Prince Claus Fund Announces Recipients of 2022 Mentorship Awards for Cultural & Artistic Responses to Environmental Change