BIO
Daudi Kaggwa (b. 1995, Kampala, Uganda) is a contemporary fine artist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a BFA (Hons) from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and an MFA from the Royal College of Art in London, UK.
Kaggwa has a multidisciplinary practice, with a background in photography and sculpture. He primarily works in painting, textile and other mediums, paying close attention to colour and composition. He focuses on figurative-abstraction as a means of visual storytelling. His work draws on African cultural references and explores themes of history, heritage, and nationhood through conceptually layered, symbolic imagery.
Kaggwa has lived in several countries across Africa and beyond, which gives his work a strong multicultural perspective. These experiences influence both how he works and what he explores, especially themes like cultural identity, ecological symbolism, immigration, community and diasporic narratives.
Through his research, Kaggwa is inspired by regional socio-political issues and influenced by decolonial discourse. His perspective was shaped in part by his involvement in the Rhodes Must Fall movement during his undergraduate studies, which engaged with the dismantling of symbolic and structural legacies of colonialism in educational and cultural institutions. This experience continues to inform his exploration of power, representation, and the politics of cultural memory.
Previously, Kaggwa served as the Creative Manager for Circle Art Gallery in Nairobi. His work has been exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions in Kenya, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Résumé
Born in Kampala, Uganda, 1995
Resides and works in Nairobi, Kenya
Education:
2025 – Master in Fine Art - Arts and Humanities, Royal College of Art [RCA], London, United Kingdom
2015 – 2019: Bachelor in Fine Art (Hons), University of Cape Town [UCT], Cape Town, South Africa
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
2024 – “Stay Curious”, Nairobi, Kenya
2024 – “Resonance”, 99 Loop Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2021 – “The Eden Kingdom”, Nairobi, Kenya
2022 – “Blanq Point”, Nairobi, Kenya
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2025 – “After the Soft Hurricane on My Hand”, Design Bar, Dyson Building, Royal College of Art - Battersea Campus, London, United Kingdom
2024 – “Hold That Thought!”, 99 Loop Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2024 – “That Is”, Studio Building (2nd Floor), Royal College of Art - Battersea Campus, London, United Kingdom
2024 – “Resonances”, Hackney Gallery, Royal College of Art - Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom
2023 – “Antifragile”, Circle Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2015 – “Return to Sender”, Centre of African Studies Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
Professional contributions:
2021 – 2023:
Creative Manager – Design, Photography, Marketing and Communications, Circle Art Agency [Gallery], Nairobi, Kenya
2019 – 2020:
Teaching Assistant – Art Attachment with Brookhouse International School, Nairobi, Kenya
– Community service projects as an Art Director and Designer (February/October), Machakos, Kenya
– Set and Costume Design
2018:
February – Tutor of Photography, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
March – Photography Assistant, Vanessa Cowling Photography, Cape Town, South Africa
October – Artists Assistant, Buhlebezwe Siwani, WHATIFTHEWORLD Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
September - October – Art Programs/ Workshops, Part Time Contract, A4 Arts Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa