His Contemporary Art practice intimately involves research, expression and communication as a way of documening life. ARTIST STATEMENT:
Papa Shabani is a photographer whose Contemporary Art practice involves research, intimacy, expression and communication as a process of documenting life. SHORT BIOGRAPHY:
B.1990, Papa is an award-winning Ugandan photographer (Uganda Press Photo Awards 2013 and 20
14). He is a former a student of Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Arts at Makerere University (2011-2014). Papa was among 20 Ugandan artists selected from a list of 70 applicants to take part in the KLA ART ’014 that ran throughout October 2014 in Kampala. He emerged winner of the “New Talent Award” in the Kampala Contemporary Art Festival 2014 (KLA ART ’014) with his (LE STUDIO BODA-BODA) project. This work engaged and documented public transport motorbike riders (boda-boda) in photography activities at different motorbike stops in Kampala. In addition, Papa is a communication designer who uses graphics, graffiti, fashion & watercolor painting. Formerly an Artist-In-Residence at 32º East/Ugandan Arts Trust initiated by History In Progress Uganda (HIP Uganda), the artist is currently on a self-programmed residence at Afrika Arts Kollective––a multi-disciplinary arts organization based in Kampala. A young photographer at the early stages of his carrier, he has gained the ability to visually tell people’s stories through photography. His work has had both solo and group exhibitions in Uganda; and furthermore, it has been featured on websites and blogs around the world, including The UK Guardian website.
