Vestiges of Time
Piloya Irene
Piloya Irene’s Vestiges of Time is a video that explores the fluidity of memory and time, combining photographs and videos of family members and trees in the village of Loyo Boo, Uganda. Through archival footage, contemporary video, and abstract visual effects, the piece evokes the cyclical nature of history and the fragility of individual moments. Set against the backdrop of the Hemang Forest in Kumasi and Loyo Boo, the project juxtaposes these landscapes to draw out the deep connection between land, memory, and ancestral lineage. In the video, footage of Irene’s mother leading the younger generation through ancestral land, interspersed with scenes of her siblings, re - emphasizes the notion of home as a fluid memory that transforms over time.
The project reflects the significant roles that women play in Acholi culture, particularly in agriculture and storytelling. Storytelling in particular preserves cultural heritage and helps a culture to heal from past traumas, such as those brought about by the Lord’s Resistance Army conflict. Inspired by this, Irene draws parallels between planting trees and nurturing family bonds, which are both vital for survival and healing. Her mother and grandmother, who played key roles in protecting and guiding her family during the war, are central to the narrative. The kapok tree serves as a metaphor for resilience and the enduring presence of history, much like the women in Irene’s family who pass down stories of survival. This project ultimately explores the role of women as symbols of persistence and their place in the art world, underscoring how we, as mothers and daughters, overcome both personal and historical challenges.
Piloya Irene
UgandaPiloya Irene is an artist and art
teacher working between Kumasi, Ghana, and Gulu, Uganda. She uses sculpture, painting, and film to explore themes of displacement, memory, identity, and belonging. Piloya holds a Master’s Degree in Painting and Sculpture from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana (2023), a Post Graduate Diploma in Art Education from Kyambogo University in Uganda (2019), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Fine Art and Design from Uganda Christian University (2016).
Irene has participated in various international art projects, including “Silent Invasions” in Uganda, organised by UNDER GROUND Contemporary Art Space, and documenta fifteen in Germany as part of the blaxTARLINES KUMASI collective. She also worked on the Gasthof 2022 project in Frankfurt and is currently part of the art exchange program, Travel Somewhere Nice. Her recent solo exhibitions, “Metaphor(s)” and “Reconstruction of Memory,” held in Kumasi in 2023, examined themes of home and memory through the lens of neuroplasticity.
In addition to her exhibitions, Irene has contributed to art projects in Uganda, Kenya, Belgium, and the Netherlands. She was awarded a KAAD Scholarship in 2021 for her Master’s studies and has been selected for a Pro Helvetia Artist Residency in Switzerland in 2024.
