Ian Mwesiga
Ian Mwesiga (b. 1988; Kampala, Uganda) drafts paintings that reflect a perpetual ardor, defying perspective by either replicating or inventing his own proportions and compositions, while preserving a continuous lyricism. His influences allude to both classical and contemporary painting.
Mwesiga’s practice revolves around inset topography: the psychological world of his figures and their placement within imagined cosmoses. In his universe, impenetrable access is paradoxically granted—subjects appear as snapshots of a dream. Boundaries between self and other dissolve, leaving intimate impressions suspended between reality and desire.
His paintings possess a mesmerizing quality, with surprising dimensionality emerging from his masterful use of vibrant colors that skillfully skew ordinary perspective. The foreground defines a sense of balance, while the backdrop immerses the viewer in an infinite garden-scape.
His work has been the subject of solo exhibitions such as Beyond the Edge of the World at The FLAG Art Foundation, New York (2024), and Theater of Dreams at Mariane Ibrahim, Chicago (2022). Mwesiga has also participated in prominent group exhibitions including When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting at Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town (2023); Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland (2024); and BOZAR – Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels (2025). His work is held in collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA, among others.
Mwesiga graduated with a BA in Industrial Fine Art & Design from Makerere University, Uganda, in 2014. He has participated in residencies such as Àsìkò Art School (Mozambique, 2015), facilitated by Bisi Silva, and CCA Lagos (Nigeria). He is also a recipient of the Moving Africa Award, Goethe Institute (2014).
-
Ian Mwesiga
Au service des rêves 13 Jun - 26 Jul 2025 ParisMariane Ibrahim is pleased to present, Au service des rêves (In the Service of Dreams) , a solo exhibition of new paintings by Ugandan artist Ian Mwesiga. Across a series...Read more -
Un Abrazo
Group Exhibition 8 Feb - 29 Apr 2023 Mexico CityThe inaugural group exhibition, Un Abrazo , features new work uniting a selection of represented artists. The exhibition explores the new possibilities of immersion, culture, and sensation that Mexico City...Read more -
Ian Mwesiga
Theater of Dreams 17 Sep - 29 Oct 2022 ChicagoMariane Ibrahim is pleased to announce Ian Mwesiga’s first solo exhibition, Theater of Dreams , on view in Chicago from September 17 – October 29, 2022. Mwesiga’s works are abjectly...Read more -
La Vie en Rose
Group Exhibition 5 Feb - 19 Mar 2022 ChicagoExhibiting Artists: ruby onyinyechi amanze, Raphaël Barontini, Amoako Boafo, M. Florine Démosthène, Maïmouna Guerresi, Mwangi Hutter, Yukimasa Ida, Ayana V. Jackson, Clotilde Jiménez, Shannon T. Lewis, Sergio Lucena, No Martins,...Read more -
J'ai Deux Amours...
Group Exhibition 18 Sep - 13 Oct 2021 ParisMariane Ibrahim presents J'ai Deux Amours... , the inaugural exhibition of the gallery’s new space in Paris on Avenue Matignon. On view from September 18 to October 13, 2021, the...Read more
-
Ian Mwesiga
Nicolas Vamvouklis, Les Hommes Publics, March 28, 2025
Les Hommes Publics -
Ian Mwesiga
Katie White, Artnet, May 17, 2024
Artnet -
Ian Mwesiga
Ismail Einashe, TANK.tv Magazine, April 30, 2024
TANK.tv Magazine -
Clotilde Jiménez
Frida Juárez Bautista , El Universal, February 8, 2023
El Universal -
Mariane Ibrahim
Katy Donoghue, Whitewall, October 26, 2022
Whitewall Magazine -
Mariane Ibrahim
Brian Ng, Artsy, October 20, 2022
Artsy -
Ian Mwesiga
Nadya Kelly , F Newsmagazine , October 19, 2022
F News Magazine -
Mariane Ibrahim
Brian P. Kelly , ARTSY, July 29, 2022
Artsy -
Mariane Ibrahim
Payal Uttam, Art Basel, June 9, 2022
Art Basel -
J'ai Deux Amours... Le Monde
Roxana Azimi, Le Monde, September 22, 2021 -
J'ai Deux Amours...Surface Magazine
RYAN WADDOUPS, Surface Mag, September 16, 2021 -
J'ai Deux Amours... Architectural Digest
Gay Gassmann, Architectural Digest, September 15, 2021 -
Ian Mwesiga
Numero Berlin, February 1, 2021
On the Cover
Numero Berlin -
Ian Mwesiga
Jyni Ong, It's Nice That, January 8, 2021
It's Nice That
-
Beyond the Edge of the World
Ian Mwesiga | The FLAG Art Foundation February 23, 2024The FLAG Art Foundation is pleased to present Ian Mwesiga: Beyond the Edge of the World, the Ugandan artist’s debut institutional solo exhibition in the...Read more -
Spotlight: Ian Mwesiga
Ian Mwesiga | The FLAG Art Foundation May 21, 2022The FLAG Art Foundation’s Spotlight exhibition series includes new or never-before-exhibited artworks accompanied by commissioned pieces of writing. In its third iteration, the Spotlight features...Read more -
Mariane Ibrahim to Represent Ian Mwesiga
Ian Mwesiga I Representation June 10, 2020Mariane Ibrahim is pleased to announce representation of Ugandan artist Ian Mwesiga. Elaborate paintings peer into Mwesiga’s ordinary routine. Notice the varied corners of his...Read more
-
Art Basel Miami Beach
1 - 3 Dec 2022BOOTH #D33 EXHIBITING ARTISTS: Amoako Boafo M. Florine Démosthène Patrick Eugène Yukimasa Ida Clotilde Jiménez Shannon T. Lewis No Martins Ian Micheal Ian Mwesiga Carmen...Read more -
Paris+ par Art Basel
19 - 23 Oct 2022BOOTH # E16 EXHIBITING ARTISTS: Raphaël Barontini Amoako Boafo Yukimasa Ida Clotilde Jiménez Shannon T. Lewis Ian Mwesiga Carmen Neely Peter Uka Mariane Ibrahim is...Read more -
Art Basel
14 - 19 Jun 2022BOOTH # R24 EXHIBITING ARTISTS: Raphaël Barontini Amoako Boafo M. Florine Démosthène Mwangi Hutter Yukimasa Ida Ayana V. Jackson Clotilde Jiménez Ian Mwesiga Carmen Neely...Read more -
EXPO CHICAGO
7 - 10 Apr 2022BOOTH # 223 EXHIBITING ARTISTS: Raphaël Barontini Amoako Boafo Yukimasa Ida Clotilde Jiménez No Martins Ian Micheal Ian Mwesiga Carmen Neely Zohra Opoku Our presentation...Read more