BE OPEN Art is happy to announce that Makano Bwato, Congolese artist living in Uganda, has been selected the Regional Artist of the month (November) by the highest number of votes of BE OPEN Art online gallery visitors.
The fourth stage of the programme this year covers the countries of Central Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic – Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Principe.
The stage started in October and will last till the end of December, when one of the monthly winners will become the Artist of the Region, based on the amount of votes by the public and the BE OPEN art community members.
Makano has become the second of the three candidates to the title and the 500 euros prize, alongside Marcel Tchopwe (Cameroon).
Makano has been living in Uganda as a refugee since 2018. After losing his parents in a civil war back in DRC, his art was born out of depression and frustration. In 2021, Makano won the Positive Memories art contest organized by Faces Up Uganda with support from African Culture Fund, Mali.