Maria Olivia Nakato is an emerging curator with Muumba Collective holding space for experimentation, collaboration and expression for emerging artists to create interactive spaces that utilize art for individual interpretation based on personal experiences and ideologies. These spaces aim to provoke conversations between strangers, inspire relationships, and change in individuals and communities.
Maria is currently working on Mrs Lydia Mugambi's retrospective Imparted Impressions under the Emerging Curators Program by Xenson Art Space with mentorship from Mr Balimunsi Philip.
She is also researching herbal medicines and designed a sculpture “Hibiscus" as a part of her Kampala Art festival Festival residency 2024. She was assistant curator for In the Midst at The Capsule Gallery in Nakasero and in transit under another sky: a moving image exhibition at Afropocene Studio Lab in kabalagala in August 2024.
Maria also curatored the By'abakaza exhibition at Umoja Art gallery in celebration of Womens' month 2024, Dream Catcher exhibition at kardamon and koffee cafe, 2024 and secured funds for the Resilient Spirit project from the Kenya-based Braid fund and Tica in 2023. The artworks created during this program were featured in the Resilient Spirit exhibition at Wild Coffee Bar. She also fostered partnerships for The Wall Mural Competition, 2023, where Nzani Create Hub and Muumba Collective provided financial support, while Alliance Française Kampala and Amasaka Gallery offered prizes in the form of space for pop-up group and solo exhibitions, respectively.
She also has published a review of the send me exhibition with The East African Scene, https://theeascene.com/arts-send-me-exhibit-explores-artistic-freedom-of-east-africa/.
