How can art help you to express with authenticity?

When my GP ticked "PTSD" on my record and referred me to a sexu@l violence support group, I was in shock. After years of research, I had summoned the strength to detail my physical and psychological health and he believed me. I'd spent decades invalidating my experiences and numb to what my body and mind was trying to tell me. 

Accepting the truth that I need specialist support to live the life I so desire is an act of hope. I love me better, and I am inviting more psychological safety into my life. 

My art is how I practice moving in hope, and that is why I'm sharing my art with you today.

Contact me on hello@birungikawooya to enquire about bringing this artwork or fine art print into your collection.

How can community art help you recover from burnout?

A week or so after getting fired for depression/anxiety/burn out, I said yes to assisting in the production of a Black dance festival in my neighbourhood.

At the time, I didn't have access to feelings or sensations. I had low energy, my head felt like mush and I was grappling with a poor memory. But the lure of meeting community dancers and musicians inspired by African and Black diaspora dance motivated me and gave me life! Seeing Black creatives shine is the best medicine.

It's been 2.5 years since saying "yes" to producing, making, facilitating dance, theatre, writing, visual arts, public art and community art experiences - full-time. I still live with fear and I'm getting better at moving through it, with my incredible circle of support. I'm not entirely sure if it's courage, living in delulu or my neurodiversity but this is my plan A. To be me. A full-time Birungi. Art is our birthright, our expression, a way to be. And this is why I'm sharing my art with you today. 

Contact me on hello@birungikawooya to enquire about bringing this artwork or fine art print into your collection.

How can art improve your self image and worth?

My older sisters told me, when I was around 5 years old, that I said, "I want to be white." A year before, we were living in Kampala, and I had no concept of race.

Well-meaning white people love to ask me, "what does your name mean?" and I used to pretend my name meant Princess, when it actually meant "good" or "beautiful". I didn't feel beautiful, being good was a big ask, and I understood that I could get some respect by stealing a title! At 8, I was a cheeky little social climber. Very British indeed. 

I like that in this artwork, the figure's hair is covered, and the body language is confident. 

My understanding of self-worth is evolving, turning inward and that is why I'm sharing my artwork with you today. 

Contact me on hello@birungikawooya to enquire about bringing this artwork or fine art print into your collection.

How can art help you heal from sexual violence?

When I invited a date (not John Boyega!) back to mine for a drink, I felt like a sexy cool independent 20-something woman. I didn't date much, and surprisingly, I had a great time with this hot, intelligent man. 

I said no many times. He was strong. Eventually, I just stopped saying no and I left my body. I was used, over and over again. 

Because I invited him in, it took me years before realising this was assault. I know many women who experienced this. I've found it so difficult to relate to "men" whilst I carry this immense fear in my body. I've looked for connection, but I've been afraid to make eye contact. 

Creating artwork is a way for me to invite more love in my life. I'm releasing fear, moving in hope and this is why I'm sharing my art with you today. 

Contact me on hello@birungikawooya to enquire about bringing this artwork or fine art print into your collection.

How can civil rights activist and dancer Josephine Baker inspire you?

Birungi means beautiful and good. Growing up Black in London, I never felt beautiful and because I always had something to say back to my Mum, I wasn’t always a good girl!

In my teenage years, I was a Daddy’s girl, until I called my him out on his bullshit. Our relationship fractured and broke me. In life and work, I have continued to stand up for myself and at crucial times, I am ignored. I carry this fear of rejection and abuse in my body. My middle name Ndwadde means, I’m sick. My body and mind is processing trauma and I am becoming.

Seeing Josephine Baker, an outspoken civil right activist, dancing barefoot in a banana skirt fascinates me.

My art reminds me to ground myself in my true nature, free of white supremacist, imperialist, capitalist, patriarchal and ableist conditioning. I create worlds where Black womxn can be because this creates justice for all, which is why I wanted to share my artwork with you today.

Contact me on hello@birungikawooya to enquire about bringing this artwork or fine art print into your collection.

Join Birungi Kawooya at "Creativity, Health and Wellbeing at the Intersections" at City University, London

Abstract

Where do we locate our bodies and creativity in a world where our intersections restrict our access and expression?

Can we challenge this and expand meaning through communal embodied experiences?

Can our marginalised identities inspire greater avenues for creativity to flourish?

Join us on the 5th of April for an evening exploring Liberatory Creativity, Intersectional Identity and Healing. To register, please click here.

We will reimagine intersectional creativity with a Life Art Therapy session led by Yaa Yeboah-Newton of Our Naked Truths and a panel discussion featuring Artist-Filmmaker and Writer, Jameisha Prescod; Art wellbeing researcher, Birungi Kawooya; and Decolonising RE Researcher, Writer and Poet, Alexandra Brown.

The session and discussion are about process, reflection, expression and communal discovery. You do not need to be ‘good at art’ to attend.

This session is for all levels i.e. from Stickman Superstars to Painting Prodigies! Come with an open mind and ready to try something new, in a truly transformative and welcoming space.

During the first half, Jameisha, Birungi and Alexandra will serve as your muses. Yaa will guide you through a series of prompts and drawing styles, using the instruments and colours of your choice. We will follow the evening’s creative expression with a relaxed, communal discussion, exploring the evening’s themes with our muses.

Materials and refreshments will be provided.

The event will be facilitated by Kym Oliver, PhD Researcher at City and Co-founder of The Triple Cripples and Our Living Archives.

The session is part of a wider series produced by Kymfor Our Living Archives, an ongoing project which seeks to explore Black Culture, Disability and Identity, centring the experiences and expertise of Women and Gender Expansive members of the community.

Please note: Though open to everyone, these sessions are designed to be a safe space for Black, Disabled, LGBTQIA+, Neurodiverse, POC folks and their allies. We ask that you respect this when sharing the space.

Session structure

5.45pm – Welcome and introduction

5.55pm – Grounding exercise

6.05pm – Drawing session

6.50pm – Break and refreshments

7.00pm – Panel discussion with muses

8.00pm - Close

How can art help you process your healing journey?

Growing up in a white suburb of South London, racist chants from my neighbours made me feel inferior. 

At work, I was always the first black person in my team and colleagues would question my competence, which made me feel like I was never good enough.

It wasn’t until my dentist told me I had ground my teeth down, that I realised I had developed severe anxiety and depression.

I tried my best to keep up with work demands but needed to find something to help me heal and escape which was when I found art. 

My art helps me to process my healing journey, find my voice and supports my wellbeing. 

I create worlds where disabled Black womxn are supported, loved and cared for because this creates justice for all, which is why I wanted to share my artwork with you today.

Contact me on hello@birungikawooya to enquire about bringing this artwork or fine art print into your collection.

Podcast: Healing Through Ancestral Wisdom and Movement

I was delighted to join Guilia on Terra Stories to discuss why I make art to understand myself through my culture and our ancestral regenerative wisdom.

Birungi's journey starts with her ancestors, who always found inspiration in nature for their creative work.

🌿 Through the use of banana tree fibers, bark cloth, and batik techniques native to Uganda, they crafted various forms of art that shaped her childhood.

🌱 This left her with a profound respectful relationship with the natural world, driving her to revisit these traditions and incorporate them into her own life, leading her to become a collage artist and art tutor.

🌿 Influenced by her roots, nature, Black feminism, and Afro-somatic movement, Birungi employs her art as a means to explore ways of achieving well-being within a community.

🌱 How did Birungi's origins impact her childhood? Why did she choose natural materials for her art, inspired by her ancestral traditions? How can this art promote healing?

Dive into the vibrant colors, textures, and movement of Birungi's mindful art as we explore these questions and more in this episode.

Reflections...

REFLECTIONS - What would the past version of you from 10 years ago, say about you now?

Comment on instagram or email me…

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Birungi Kawooya (@birungiart)

What a difference decade makes. 10 years ago, baby Birungi (29 and 6 months), was preparing to leave a job in which she was bullied because the City of London was built on exploiting labour based on gender and ethnicity.

She would be really proud of me for researching and using variety of wellbeing methodologies and speaking openly about mental health issues for minoritised people. I think baby Birungi would be particularly grateful to be a full time artist, encouraging individuals, students, corporate teams and local boroughs to promote wellbeing.

Over the past decade, I've explored the roots of depression and anxiety with counselling, psychodynamic therapy, psychiatry, CBT and collage art making.

My perspective has revealed to me that through exploring African textiles, paper and natural fibres, I am piecing together my identity and accepting all of me, as the disabled, African, working class woman who has never formally trained in art. I've gone from making friends birthday cards to confidently depicting myself in life size portraiture. Slowing down with hashtag#meditation, nature and learning from so many health practitioners has supercharged my growth and my hashtag#mindset.

What would the version of you 10 years ago think of who you are and what you're doing now? Please leave a comment or drop me a message.

How can art support your self care practice?

Does anyone else need a reminder to take a break? I am so grateful that through art making, I can reflect on my needs and commit to taking better care of myself.

I reflect on self care, how I am learning to listen to my body with respect, whilst on my residency with Njabala Foundation and 32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Birungi Kawooya (@birungiart)