Leilah Babirye: Embaga ya Naki ne Naki (Wedding of Naki and Naki)

Leilah Babirye’s *Embaga ya Naki ne Naki (Wedding of Naki and Naki)* presents a vivid sculptural wedding ceremony centered on queer love, identity, and community. The exhibition features newly made ceramic and wood sculptures in roles such as bride, groom, ring bearer, flower girl, bridesmaid, and groomsman. Large-scale charred-wood figures representing aunties, uncles, and ancestors surround the ceremony, extending themes that have run through Babirye’s practice.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1985, Babirye is known for transforming discarded materials into richly adorned figures. Her works combine carved and burned wood, ceramics, bicycle gears and chains, rubber inner tubes, wire, wax, nails, and other found objects. The exhibition reflects her commitment to uplifting LGBTQ identities following her departure from Uganda after being outed as gay. It is accompanied by the artist’s first book.

When: August 27, 2026–January 18, 2027

Venue: Fotene Demoulas Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston

Tickets: Price not available

Artist: Leilah Babirye

Works and materials: The exhibition includes ceramic and wood sculptures incorporating found and repurposed materials, including bicycle parts, rubber inner tubes, wire, metal, wax, nails, and other objects.

Organization: Organized by Ruth Erickson, Barbara Lee Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, with Max Gruber, Curatorial Assistant.

Publication: The exhibition is accompanied by Leilah Babirye’s first book.

Support: Major support comes from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Additional support is provided by Mathieu O. Gaulin and the Jennifer Epstein Fund for Women Artists; publication support comes from the Blue Rider Group at Morgan Stanley and the Fotene Demoulas Fund for Curatorial Research and Publications.