"One" explores unity, collaboration, and shared purpose. The two heads merging into a singular form symbolize how individuals can unite to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This union represents the harmony that arises when people align their goals, ideas, and values. The potential emerges when two minds work together toward a common goal. The vision unites them, creating a shared path forward. It is a reminder that vision alone is not enough—without understanding and mutual commitment, the vision cannot manifest fully. In this sense, the artwork explores how true partnership, whether in a personal relationship, a creative collaboration, or even in a community, requires both vision and understanding. One person may lead with their vision, but it is the other's ability to grasp and support that vision that ultimately brings it to life. Ultimately, "One" reflects on how two distinct entities can come together, not by losing their individuality, but by aligning their purpose and vision. It speaks to the power of collaboration, trust, and mutual respect, whether in personal relationships or collective endeavors.

MAKANO from Nakivale

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MAKANO channels tumultuous thought processes into superimposed pieces of abstract poetry that sometimes contract into the form of a manic one-eyed alter-ego, grinning his name “MAKANO.” After losing both his parents to the political unrest and armed conflicts in Congo, art became his vehicle to process trauma and find a form of expression for the unspeakable. Carried by an almost frenetic energy, his paintings don’t stop at the confined space of the canvas but sprawl onto any conceivable surface in the artist’s proximity.In June 2024, MAKANO had a solo exhibition titled ""I AM,"" which was a celebration of rebirth and self-discovery. It was a vibrant declaration of existence, an assertion of self in a world fraught with turmoil, declaring, ""I'm MAKANO. I am here. I am part of this dialogue. I've got opinions. I am not always right. I am not always on time. My thoughts are unapologetic; I don't always say things in the so-called 'proper way,' but my intentions are always pure."" The exhibition was a celebration of the human journey toward healing, empowerment, and self-realization.