ABOUT

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Hugo relocated with his family in 2007 in search of better conditions and opportunities. In 2012, several years after settling and trying to adjust to his new social setting; Hugo was enrolled into the Butterfly Art Project, a then new art therapy program that focused on healing trauma through art. Going through the program not only assisted him in confronting and overcoming the trauma linked to his immigrant journey, but it ignited a fiery passion for the arts and guiding him to commit to art both as a personal sanctuary and a powerful voice for his story.

Hugo's artistic practice is mainly made up of exploring the intersection of memory, identity, and the socio-political landscapes that shape both individual and collective consciousness. Working across various media, he examines the intricate ways in which personal and historical narratives intertwine, often revealing the layered complexities of migration, displacement, and resilience. His work continues to be profoundly introspective but widely relatable, functioning as a continuous therapeutic process that aims to use trauma as a fuel for personal development rather than to eradicate it. According to him, art offers a platform for addressing and navigating the complex realities of social, political, economic, and environmental issues, even if the past is an integral part of the human experience. Each of his creations serves as an invitation for dialogue, reflection, and healing, encouraging both himself and his audience to acknowledge wounds, challenge imposed structures, and envision new possibilities for transformation

Kabeya’s most recent group show, And Yet We Imagine opened at The Desmond and Leah Foundation in April 2025. Other show include Routes of Resistance at the District Six Museum in Cape Town and the Skissernas Museum in Sweden (2024). He has been awarded a residency at IoDeposito taking place between Italy and Slovenia for May 2025.