Charlene Komuntale Uganda, b. 1990

Charlene Komuntale is a multi-media artist based in Kampala, Uganda. Having studied animation, her journey took her from illustration and digital painting to combining her digital medium with materials and techniques such as textiles, embroidery, and beading. Venturing beyond digital painting into mixed media, has been pivotal moment in her practice. It has not only proven her versatility but also enriched her creative expression while deepening her engagement with themes of beauty, freedom, and identity.

An integral and recurring element of Komuntale's work is the presentation of Black African women. Her subject matter is often personal yet presented in a relatable way as inspiration is drawn from her own experiences but also informed by the experiences of other women around her. Komuntale's work deconstructs dominant narratives as shaped by culture, history, and environment and provides a ground for inquiry and interrogation, and for visions of different futures. Rather than asserting answers, her work opens spaces for reflection, discovery and transformation.

Her current body of work is inspired by the complexity of identity and the layered experiences of Black women. She is drawn to the intersection of societal expectations and personal narratives, particularly how beauty and identity are shaped and redefined over time. The community of women in her life inspire her through their resilience, their joys, and how they navigate expectations. The natural world also plays a significant role, with elements like leaves symbolizing growth, transformation, and connection. These inspirations come together as she explores themes of unravelling, discovery, and the tension between freedom and constraint.

In 2023, Komuntale held her debut solo exhibition Sit with Me - The Diary of a Free Thinker at Afriart Gallery. Her work was shown in the group exhibitions Undone (AAG, 2025), Eastern Voices: Contemporary Art from East Africa (Addis Fine Art, London, 2023), Shapes of Water (AAG, 2023), Where the Wild Things are (AAG, 2022), among others. She participated in EXPO Chicago, Art Basel Miami Beach, Abu Dhabi Art, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, among other fairs. In 2021, Komuntale attended the Silhouette Projects Residency Program, and in 2023, she was an artist-in-residence at The Mill in Adelaide, Australia. She holds a BA in Animation from Limkokwing University, Malaysia.