Abul Oyay: Sparking Change Through Art in South Sudan

From Her View

Today’s episode features a fierce activist who creates change a little differently, but in an equally powerful way - through art.

Abul Oyay is a prominent South Sudanese painter and a founding member of #Anataban, a collective of creatives in South Sudan who use their art as a platform for youth to advocate for peace and justice in the country.

She is also the founder of The Baobab Art Foundation which was born out of the desire to create one of South Sudan’s first exhibition spaces to showcase the work of contemporary South Sudanese and international artists.

It is very worthy to mention just how admirable all of Abul’s personal and professional endeavors have been, considering South Sudan’s precarious peace process. According to several recent studies, South Sudan currently ranks among one of the world’s most dangerous countries due to ongoing conflict as a result of the 2013 Civil War.

However, the government has singled out gender equality as key to reconstruction, offering a glimmer of hope that the country will find peace and equality before too long.

In this thought-provoking interview, Abul shares what art means to her, and how she’s been able to use her talent to change the way people see her home country - and its women, whose strength often goes unnoticed.

I’m excited for you to listen to a story that takes you beyond the political headlines to the women on the ground in South Sudan leading vibrant, meaningful lives. I hope you enjoy.