Darlyne Komukama

Darlyne Komukama
Born1984 (age 41–42)
Kampala
Other nameDJ Decay
EducationBachelor's in Organisational Studies, Makerere University
OccupationsPhotographer, multimedia artist, installation artist, cultural practitioner
Known forFeminism‑focused art, black identity work, installation projects
Notable work
  • The Saloon
  • Our Things
  • Penthouse

Darlene Komukama (born in 1984) is a Ugandan self-taught photographer, multimedia artist, installation artist,[1] and cultural practitioner whose work focuses on feminism and black identity.[2][3][4][5][6]

Early life and background

Komukama was born in 1984 in Kampala, Uganda. She is a self-taught artist whose work focuses on the lived experiences of African women.[3][7] She owns a Bachelors in Organizational Studies from Makerere University in Uganda.[8]

Artistic career

Komukama practices photography, installation, and multimedia projects that explore cultural and social themes related to black women and feminism.[2][5][1]

Her major projects include the following;

  • The Saloon: She co-created this with other three Ugandan women to celebrate black hair culture and practices, framing hair as both art and lived knowledge.[9][10][11][6][7][1]
  • Our Things: A video archive installation she made with another Ugandan artist to collect and share stories rooted in Ugandan experiences.[2]
  • Penthouse: A 2018 installation built on a rooftop in Kampala that served as a safe space for women to express their rage and emotional power.[2]

Exhibition and recognition

Komukama's projects have been shown on cultural events and venues including: the Southbank Centre in London as part of the Africa Utopia festival;[9][12][4] Constitution Hill in Johannesburg for the Being Her(e) Exhibition; the Chale Wore Festival in Accra; the Africa Bass cultural festival in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; and other multiple locations in Kampala, Uganda, like the LaBa! street art festival.[9][13][3][2][1]

Other creative works

Komukama engaged in sound and performance art under her nickname DJ Decay.[14] She also participated in and curated cultural events, such as co-curating an arts and performance day with Alliance Française Kampala.[12][15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Robertson, Erin C. J. (2016-09-16). "How The Salooni Project Has Created a Safe Space for African Women to Love Their Hair | OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Darlyne Komukama". re:publica. 2018-12-14. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  3. 1 2 3 "dkomukama | norient.com". norient.com. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  4. 1 2 "5 Video Clips from a Ugandan | norient.com". norient.com. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  5. 1 2 "Kobusinge & Komukama: In the Midst Exhibition". www.afropocene.com. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  6. 1 2 Friend, Holly. "Salooni celebrates the history and artistry behind black hair". Salooni celebrates the history and artistry behind black hair | LS:N Global. Archived from the original on 2025-07-10. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  7. 1 2 Nkosi, Lindokuhle. "Don't touch my hair: Artists looking at the politics of black hair". News24. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  8. ↑ A, A. W. A. V. (2010-10-06). "a w a v a.: Meet Darlyne Komukama, Awava's Newest Team Member!". a w a v a. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  9. 1 2 3 Komukama, Darlyne (2024-05-01). "Women behind the lens: 'When your sister does your hair, you don't need a mirror'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  10. ↑ "A pop-up hair salon from Uganda treats black hair as a science and an art". Quartz. 2017-02-08. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  11. ↑ R, Rebecca (2016-08-24). "The Salooni Project: Black women's hair through the past and into the present and future". Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  12. 1 2 "News". www.guestartistsspace.com. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  13. ↑ "Kampala's women artists". nataal.com. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  14. ↑ "DARLYNE KOMUKAMA". Od Arts Festival. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  15. ↑ "5 questions with... AUTHENTICALLY PLASTIC". garage.ericasynths.lv. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
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