MARTIN JJUNJU

Martin Jjunju is a Ugandan modern artist, originally from Masaka, three hours south of Kampala, Uganda.  He has a diploma in education from the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo in Kampala.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial art and design. Although he is an art teacher by profession, he has been painting his whole life, and started painting full time for the past three years.  Painting became a full-time job during COVID when he was let go from his teaching job. 

Jjunju’s children and family inspire him in his work.  They pose for him as models.  His technique is to apply colors onto the canvas in thick layers. He uses acrylics as his medium. Jjunju explains his work, “the designs in the cloth and patterns on the carpets are created from nature.  The patterns are inspired from plants.” His art practice focuses on the comparative study between the memories of his childhood and his children's contemporary lives. Jjunju works with intense color to bring the vivid figures of his memories to life.

Jjunju’s work will be featured in the upcoming exhibit "Emerging Talent East Africa," which opens early September with Akaz! ATL gallery. Jjunju is affiliated with the Weaver Bird Residency program in Uganda, which engages local artists to paint murals around Masaka City. Jjunju showcases his artworks at the Masaka Gallery in Uganda, courtesy of Collin Sekajigo and his mentorship of the next generation of Ugandan visual artists.   You can find Jjunju at @jjunjumartin127.