▲ Kalibbala from the Kuchu Nsenene (Grasshopper) Clan, 2023-2024, Glazed ceramic, wood and found objects 147 x 30.1 x 50.2cm ⓒ Leilah Babirye, Stephen Friedman Gallery

The solo exhibition 'OBUMU (UNITY), by sculptor and contemporary artist Leilah Babirye from Uganda, will be held at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the first sculpture park in the United Kingdom.

The artist melds the issues surrounding her identity and labor through her work as a Ugandan woman and a lesbian.

▲The artist ⓒ Leilah Babirye, Stephen Friedman Gallery

She left her home country to move to New York in 2015 after being publicly sidelined by local newspapers and was granted asylum in 2018.

The artist weaves, shaves, welds, burns, and polishes debris collected on the streets of New York.

She intentionally uses discarded materials, which come from 'abasiyazi', a Ugandan term for disdain for homosexuals.

▲ Nakyeyune from the Kuchu Nyonyi Nnyange (Egret) Clan, 2023-2024, Glazed ceramic, wood and found objects 143 x 50 x 40cm ⓒ Leilah Babirye, Stephen Friedman Gallery

The word means the shell of the sugarcane, or waste that is thrown away, and the artist found the image of minorities in it.

Babirye also explores the diversity of LGBTQ culture and identity by processing and assembling using traditional African masks.

Through the act of burning, nailing, and assembling, she wants to address the reality of LGBTQ people in the context of Uganda and Africa as a whole.

▲ Gyagenda, 2023, Bronze, black patina, 269.2 x 50.8 x 50.8cm ⓒ Leilah Babirye, Stephen Friedman Gallery

Meanwhile, the artist has stepped up his creative efforts to find language to respond to the recently passed anti-gay legislation in Uganda.

In the exhibition, the artist presents new works created from materials found on the spot.

▲ Walugembe from the Kuchu Abalangira (Ruling) Clan, 2023-2024, Glazed ceramic, wood and found objects, 170 x 62 x 42cm ⓒ Leilah Babirye, Stephen Friedman GalleryIn particular, new works in the fields of ceramics, fabrics, and basketwork made for YSP will catch the attention of visitors.

Leila Babirye's solo exhibition, which melds the history of the working class, the identity of artists, and socio-cultural issues, will be held until September 8.

Sayart / Maria Kim sayart2022@gmail.com