Diana Mary Laruni

Diana Mary Laruni (b. 1998) is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Kampala, Uganda. Diana’s work reveals the transformative power of natural materials, particularly maize husks. Often discarded and overlooked, maize husks hold immense creative potential, and Diana’s artistic practice explores their rebirth into new forms. Her work is deeply influenced by her personal experiences as an African woman navigating the complexities of a traditional upbringing in the context of a rapidly evolving modern society. Diana’s practice integrates diverse techniques, such as stitching, which emphasizes themes of repair, mending, attachment and healing, reflecting layers of personal and collective human experiences. Her works explore contemporary visual narratives around identity, relationships, care, memory, and self-discovery which are reflected in artistic forms like sculpture, photography, digital art, fashion, and installation art. In 2022, Diana graduated with first-class honors in Industrial and Fine Art from Uganda Christian University. Her works have been featured in group exhibitions, including By’abakazi at Umoja Art Gallery (2024), The Resilient Spirit Exhibition by Muumba Collective (2023), and Beyond Memories at Uganda Christian University (2022). She held her first solo exhibition, Mother of Child, at Agandy Studios (2023). Diana has also participated in the 32 Degrees East artist residency (2022) and The Resilient Spirit Workshop by Muumba Collective (2023).