The Artist
Mukiibi Najib Kharim is a multidisciplinary Ugandan artist, Painter, Industrial Designer and Illustrator born in 2000 in Kampala. He graduated from Makerere University with a first-class Honors degree from the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art at the College of Engineering Design art and Technology, credited as one of the best students of 2023. Currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Design (Object and Industrial Design) at HSE Art and Design School at National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russian federation. He is a graduate of Innopraktika School 2023, St Petersburg Academy Of Classical Art named After I.E Repin.Mukiibi is skilled in surrealism, abstract and semi-abstract easel painting and editorial illustration, where he employs similar styles.
His work frequently explores culture and human vulnerability, and the intersection of traditional materials with modern design to convey humanism by capturing socio-cultural narratives into visual stories where he credits his inspiration from Godfrey Banadda one of the Ugandan Old masters and professor in Painting at Makerere University.
Mukiibi’s emotional surrealism and abstract works always leave a lasting impression on viewers by inducing curiosity about the story behind them. The artist is a prize winner of various local and international Design and art competitions, credited for his philosophical and apocalyptic approaches.
The abandoned generation.
Surrealistic Painting by Mukiibi, Oil on Canvas, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 2023
The artwork «The abandoned generation», (100 cm x 100 cm) oil on canvas by Mukiibi Najib 2023, St. Petersburg Russia
The artwork «The abandoned generation» by Mukiibi Najib @mukiibi.najib.karim.art was presented on exhibition of Innopraktika School organised together with the Academy of Arts named after A. Repin on the the Russia-Africa summit 2023.
«The Artist was appreciated by the Rector Of St. Petersburg Art for the great contemporary Painting»This surrealist artwork was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna and Child, specifically the idea of a mother breastfeeding her child with love and care. It contrasts this nurturing act with the current trend of mothers focusing on their phones and ignoring their children. The piece depicts a woman holding her baby carelessly while absorbed in her phone. Additionally, the artwork features four planets which symbolize different generations. However, the foreground is cracked, representing the challenges that future generations may face. The overarching message is that while we may have different skin colors and backgrounds, we are all people. We can shape a better future for the next generation by coming together and preserving our global values.«The Artist was appreciated by Semyon Ilyich Michailovsky the Rector Of St. Petersburg Academy of Fine Art for the great contemporary Painting»
Innopraktika school, Art Session 2023 St Petersburg Imperial Academy of Fine art, Russia. Mukiibi Najib giving a long awaited description of the surrealistic painting «The abandoned generation»
Innopraktika school, Art Session 2023 St Petersburg Imperial Academy of Fine art, Russia.
The Painting was exhibited at the Innopraktika school, Art session, In St Petersburg, RussiaThe artwork «The abandoned generation» by Mukiibi Najib @mukiibi.najib.karim.art was presented on exhibition of Innopraktika School organised together with the Academy of Arts named after A. RepinRussia-Africa summit 2023 St Petersburg.
«The Artist was appreciated by the Rector Of St. Petersburg Art for the great contemporary Painting»Tap the Link to Art Session
The Voice Beneath the well Of evil
surrealistic Painting by Mukiibi, Oil on Canvas, Moscow 2024
Artwork «Voice Beneath the well of Evil». Mukiibi Najib. (90 cm x 60 cm) Oil on Canvas. 2025 Moscow, Russia
THE VOICE BENEATH THE WELL OF EVIL Artist: Mukiibi Najib Media: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 90×60 cm
In this surrealistic painting I used three figures to depict three continents Europe, Africa and Asia struggling to save the world from the blazing well of evil. The figures are bound together by a creeping plant rooted to the dismantled pieces of land, a symbol that our values are the roots that bind us together in unity to preserve the global human culture. The vanishing faces in the background are symbolically representing the parental voices of guidance which we are obliged to reflect onto if we are to save ourselves from the evils brought by modernity. The painting also features a blazing «well of evil», embedded with two spears as tools used by the devil against moral values, family and marriage through homogenized marriages and evils related. The well of evil has engulfed the planet into irrational inhuman practices and beliefs bringing risks to the present and future generations. However, the hope lies in the voice beneath the well of evil.
The artwork was featured in the Poster competition and attained a main prize in 2025 Moscow, Russia. The poster was created for the art poster contest «7 principles of humanitarian action» by the public organization «Red Cross» and was among the main Prize winners under a theme, Universality «Универсальность». In 2025, the first art poster contest «7 Principles in humanitarian work» was held for students and young professionals of creative specialties. Participants from different regions of Russia and Belarus visualized seven fundamental principles. A professional jury of representatives from humanitarian organizations, academia, religious institutions and artists took part in the evaluation of the works. The best works were awarded with prizes and diplomas.
The certificate attained after the main grand prize won by Artist at the International competition organised by the Redcross and red crescent In Moscow, Russian Federation.
MASESANE
The Unsung hero of Kigezi, Drawings by Mukiibi Najib
«The portrait of Masesane», Charcoal on Ivory bond paper (84.1 cm x59.4 cm) by Mukiibi Najib 2022.
The Portrait of mr Masesane is one of the most successful charcoal drawings created by the Artist at the beginning of his career in 2022.The artwork was part of the collection commissioned by Mr Birungi Masesane of 3 portraits which were to be used in the Book he Authored, MASESANE «The unsung hero of Kigezi». The Artist was recommended by Waddimba Edward the President of UVADA (Uganda Visual Artists and Designers Association) In East Africa, after the author had spent a couple of months searching for the Artist fit for the work. The work was used on the cover page of the book and the Author Birungi Masesane credited Mukiibi najib for the re-birth of the actual image of his Father despite of the references which were unclear.
The book cover that featured the Portrait of Mr Masesane. «MASESANE The unsung Hero of Kigezi, The actual cover and the dummy copy Given to the Illustrator by the Author after the book was published.
The Portrait of Mrs. Masesane, Charcoal on Ivory bond paper 84.1 cm x 59.4 cm
The Portrait of Mrs. Masesane, Charcoal on Ivory bond paper 84.1 cm x 59.4 cm (Image from the book original Images were lost) and Acknowledgement Page from the book»
The Portrait of Mrs Masesane is one of the Charcoal drawings collection that were created by the Artist after this particular commission but unfortunately the very week of completion of this Drawing is the week when Mrs Masesane who was bed ridden for a couple of years died, a thing the the Author had cautioned the Artist about, requesting him to create the artwork with great enthusiasm so that his mother would be present at the launch of the book unfortunately it wasn’t possible since the book was published almost 3 Months after her burial.Authors Aknowlwdgement of Mukiibi Najib
Mr. Birungi Masesane highly appreciated the work of the Artist and verbally and almost doubling the payment after the commission was finished by the Artist. He went ahead and extended his gratitude towards the artis by acknowledging his work towards the Visuals presented as Illustrations in the book. In the first paragraph he wrote «I am grateful to Najib Mukiibi for the powerful Illustration of the portraits of the late Mr. and Mrs Masesane as well as mine that appear in this book»
Mr. Birungi Masesane, The Author of Masesane the «Unsung Hero Of Kigezi»
The Child Soldier
The child soldier, Oil On canvas, 120 cm x 88 cm, 2021 Mukiibi najib, Makerere university
The Child soldierThe child soldiers were members of the rebel groups who were abducted since 1987 so that they may fill out the ranks in these groups. Children and teenagers both boys and girls were abducted from their homes and this was done in dubious and violent ways. In captivity, the abductees were were subjected to harsh living conditions and were sexually abused. They all recieved military training and the older females were assigned to partners who harassed them during their stay in the bush.
the painting was created as part of the collection under the campaign against using children as victims of war and engaging them in combat fighting after a forceful abduction from their homes in african countries.
