Artist Statement

Gayi Eric Joe “Erimarz art”, (b.1997) in Kampala, Uganda, and is currently based in Entebbe,

Joe, is a distinguished contemporary artist. His remarkable talent and profound artistic vision were recognized when he received the prestigious Absa L’Atelier award in 2023, cementing his status as an emerging artistic luminary.

Joe's journey in the world of art has been marked by a series of previous awards, including the Bic Art Master of Africa in 2021-22, Nkumba University School of Art Ambassador 2022. As a contemporary artist, Joe specializes in creating ballpoint pen drawings on paper. His unique approach to art can be characterized as hyperrealism, where he employs a cathartic yet meticulously controlled ballpoint pen rendering technique. Each stroke of his pen picks up the experiences and emotions of the marginalized, releasing them in an emotional purgation onto his hyper-realistic compositions. His dedication to the craft, combined with his commitment to social justice and the empowerment of the black identity.