Artist Name: Norbert Kuki
Residency Dates: August – September 2026
Born: 1999
Hometown: Dunajska streda, Slovakia
Lives & Works: Bratislava, Slovakia
URL: norbertkuki.com | Instagram: @saint.lambo
Education:
2024 – Master of Fine Arts, University of Fine Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia
2022 – Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Fine Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia
Bio/Statement:
Norbert Kuki is one of the 2026 laureates of the Oskar Čepan Award for contemporary art in Slovakia.
Norbert Kuki is a Roma artist from Slovakia. With a background in visual art and music (hip-hop/rap), he uses art to define contemporary Roma identity and as a tool for preserving, disseminating, and explaining Roma culture. His work draws on the Romani language, stories, and legends, which he explores from multiple perspectives. Recently, he has focused on questions related to what it means when a language becomes official, how translation functions, the impact of globalization, and the role of music in sustaining language. He was a participant of a group exhibition Smoke & Mirrors at Pálffy Palace – Bratislava City Gallery, Slovakia (2025-2026). He is often a part of screening programs, and in 2025, he participated in screening and discussion of Kambium 1492 + Filozofia Vagabundstva (Philosophy of Vagabondism) at Žilina-Záriečie Station, Žilina, Slovakia.
“In my work, I document the journey of my wandering through Romani culture. Throughout this process, I attempt to Romani-fy the world around me, while simultaneously uncovering new layers of questions. Along this journey, I search for new ways of retelling narratives, finding truth in legends, history, dreams, and the Romani experience itself. My goal is to define a contemporary Romani identity and to engage the public in this process through playful approaches. I express my practice through videos, short films, and music, as the producer of rapper Big Ronn, who raps exclusively in Romani, as well as through collaborations with the streetwear brand ROMA SPORT. I perceive each of these forms of expression as a form of activism that supports identity and community engagement. My philosophy is to reach the widest possible audience, which is why I strive to create art that is accessible and functional beyond gallery spaces.” – Norbert Kuki
Support: Norbert Kuki’s residency is made possible with support from the Trust for Mutual Understanding.
