Acaye Kerunen Elizabeth is a Ugandan writer, poet, actress, performance artist, installation artist, and art activist. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] She is the founding director of KEBU forum. [5] She was the first female Ugandan artist to exhibit under the first ever Ugandan pavilion at the 59th International Art Exhibition of Biennale di Venezia (2022). [1]
Acaye was born in Kampala, Nsambya Hospital [1] and was raised by her parents, who were also artists. [6] [7] [4] She was born after her parents return from a period of exile in Nairobi, Kenya. [4] Acaye is the last sister of four sisters born to her mother Rose Akello. Acaye attended Kiswa primary school. [5] She joined City High School in Kololo from 1994 to 1995, for her Olevel. [5] She later joined Uphill College in Mbuya for continuation of her Olevel and Alevel from 1997 to 1999. [5]
From Aptech, she graduated with a diploma in information systems management in 2002. [1] [8] [9] [5] Acaye graduated from Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Mbale campus with a Bachelor of science in mass communication, in 2009. [1] [4] [8] [9] [5]
Acaye has held positions in many different career fields. She worked for Uganda Red Cross Society in her O-level vacation where she assisted in initiatives to encourage families to adopt protective measures that guard against outbreaks of cholera. [5] She gained the position of Assistant Director in the Volcano Theatre production of "Goodness" in Canada in 2012. [9] Acaye was a fitness trainer in aerobics and Tae Bo. She was also a vocal arts trainer for four years before joining IUIU. [5]
Currently, she trains clients in dance, pilates, and yoga. She also practices trauma release therapy with clients and utilizes movement techniques. [5] Acaye also founded KEBU forum, an alliance between artists and managers that affords them the opportunity to develop their talents and publish their work. [8] [5]
Acaye's installation work involves hand stitching, appending, knotting, embroidery and weaving using natural fibre and locally (Ugandan) sourced materials such as banana fibers, palm leaves, reeds and back cloth that are harvested, dried and woven in Uganda. Her works fall in various disciplines such as visual art, curation, activism, acting, poetry, writing, and performance. [6] [4]
Speaking to Art & Object magazine about the multidisciplinary quality of her art, she said, "I tell the stories as they present themselves. Whether sculptural, through a garden, or through curation. Stories have a way of choosing their carrier mediums. I try not to over interrogate what medium might work best." [10]
Acaye has participated in various curatorial fellowships which were supported by Afriart Gallery, Makerere University in Kampala; 32 Degrees East, Newcastle University and United Kingdom. [6]
Acaye has works which include;
Acaye has written poetry and also theatre musical scripts were some of them were premiered and published at Uganda National theatre and Phoenix. [8] She also has stories that were published by the Ministry of Education in Uganda, FEMRITE Uganda. [8] [11]