Birungi Kawooya is a collage artist and art tutor researching ways of being well in community, inspired by nature, Black feminists and Afro somatic movement. She creates using paper, paint, sculpture, natural fibres and batik indigenous to Uganda.

Birungi believes that self expression is an important element of a life of joy, healing and rest; it is now crucial for her to reflect the importance of wellbeing in her work and she supports Sistah Space, a community-based organisation created to bridge the gap in domestic abuse services for African heritage women and girls.

“Peckham Platform has been instrumental in my development as an artist, art tutor and cultural producer. During lockdown, I lost confidence in my artistic ability, felt overwhelmed and unable to transition my small workshop practice online. Peckham Platform commissioned me to deliver online Mindful African art workshops which created space for young creatives to express their identities using found materials.

The feedback was so positive that it encouraged me to keep creating spaces for wellness and connection and my online practice grew from there. I was fortunate enough to be invited to deliver an in-person workshop for Peckham Platform’s, The Message We Bring, the most joyous event of the year.

This helped me to develop as a community arts practitioner and produce events for Kauma Arts and Greenwich Dance. Peckham Platform’s support and endorsement motivated me to apply for my first ACE DYCP grant, which I am thrilled to have secured.”

– Birungi Kawooya, artist