Henry Mzili Mujunga’s (b. 1971, Uganda) practice is grounded in Indigenous Expressionism, a conceptual framework he coined in 2001 in response to the Eurocentric categories often imposed on African artists. For Mzili, the “indigenous” is not defined by geography alone, but by an internal point of origin – the personal lens through which one sees and interprets the world, shaped by culture, upbringing, history, and lived experience.
Rooted in Pan-African dialogue and artistic exchange, Indigenous Expressionism emerged most decisively from the transformative 2001 workshop in Bagamoyo. It became a declaration of artistic self-definition: rather than conforming to inherited Western art historical labels, Mzili proposed a framework that centers the artist’s own viewpoint, allowing freedom across style, medium, and form. Both an intellectual foundation and a quiet act of resistance, Indigenous Expressionism asserts the legitimacy of African perspectives within global artistic discourse.
Mzili’s recent works mark a return to his roots as a printmaker. After nearly a decade focused predominantly on painting, he now brings painting and printmaking together in fresh, experimental ways. This body of work is driven by an intense engagement with material and process; by allowing these elements to lead, Mzili accesses the subconscious in search of spiritual and sensual nourishment.
His career spanning over almost three decades, Henry Mzili Mujunga has established himself as a leading voice in contemporary East African art, with a practice grounded in academic training at Makerere University and international engagement and exchange. His work has been presented in major solo exhibitions at Afriart Gallery and shown widely across Africa, Europe, and the United States, including at Norval Foundation (South Africa), OSTRALE (Germany), Art Basel Miami Beach, and Art X Lagos. Mzili’s practice extends beyond the studio into curatorial work, mentorship, public art, and performance, reflecting a long-standing commitment to critical discourse, artistic experimentation, and the development of Uganda’s contemporary art ecosystem.
