MAKANO
Makano (b. 2000, Bukavu) is a Congolese visual artist based in Kampala, Uganda, with a multifaceted practice in which writing plays a central role. His work is influenced by his native country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation marked by conflict. The DRC has endured decades of political instability and armed conflicts, resulting in the demise of countless individuals, including Makano’s parents. In 2018, his life was irrevocably altered by the tragic loss of his parents during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This heart-wrenching event plunged him into a vortex of grief, depression, and frustration. The weight of his past, coupled with an uncertain future, drove him to confront a present filled with rebellion and despair, even pushing him to the brink of suicide. However, from this abyss of darkness, Makano unearthed unexpected strength and purpose. He transformed from a grieving son to an empowered artist. Makano’s work is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to find meaning and voice amid chaos. His art serves as a therapeutic outlet, a poignant reflection of his internal struggles, and a response to the ceaseless dialogue of society. His works are not unadorned expressions of personal anguish but eloquent contributions to the collective narrative, inviting viewers to engage in a communal exchange of ideas and emotions. He channels tumultuous thought processes into superimposed pieces of abstract poetry that sometimes contract into the form of a manic third-eye alter ego, grinning the artist’s name “Makano.”
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