Gigo Propaganda (b. 1979) is an artist & social activist. In 2003, he founded Storp9, a center for culture and education which provides a wide range of culture activities to tens of thousands of members of the community and beyond. From 2005-2008 Gigo founded and ran Gigoleria, a non-profit art space which hosted exhibitions, performances, theatre plays and more. From 2010 to 2015 Gigo founded and ran the art space Muralistisches Zentrum (Mural Center). In 2012, Gigo initiated the world’s longest mural on 3.500m in Essen, Germany. Wände SüdOst invited 21 international artists and was almost entirely self-funded.
In his work, Gigo often addresses social issues such as the on-going refugee issue. He has an extensive history of working with schools, refugees and disabled people. His process is mostly participatory and collaborative, including other artists, schools, public institutions and the community, with performances in public and private spaces, street festivals, neighborhood walks and workshops.
Gigo has worked extensively in public space, both sharing his own works as well as starting an initiative for removing billboards with advertisement and painting the walls that were hidden prior to this. This project lasted for more than 10 years.
In the past years, Gigo has formed a public discourse, often starting public discussion mostly through his portrait works. He is also founder & editor of the magazine „Headshot“.
EXHIBITIONS (SOLO)
2018
2017
– Traveling exhibition Portraitserie Ruhrgebiet Jetztin Germany (upcoming):
2014
– Kunstraum Notkirche, Essen, Germany – Mural Art | Ruhrgebiet Jetzt
2013
– OKC Abrašević, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Onda Danas Onda
2010
– Plakatwand der Artist Unlimited Galerie, Bielefeld, Germany, BalkanART– Urban Art from Essen – Strassenkunst
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS (GROUP)
2016
– Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn, Germany – Touchdown. Eine Ausstellung mit und über Menschen mit Down-Syndrom
2015
– Heerlen, Netherlands – Heerlen Murals
– Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn, Germany – BundeskunstHALL OF FAME!
– ZECHE1, Bochum, Germany – Lebst Du noch…?
2011
– Forum Kunst & Architektur, Essen, Germany – Critical Mess – Zwischen Graffiti und zeitgenössischer Kunst
– Dortmund, Germany – Jugend checkt Leerstand
– K29 – Ricarda Fox, Essen, Germany – Vorsicht Freiraum
– kunstencentrum Signe, Heerlen, Netherlands – Lak aan Braak
2010
– Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany – Hacking the City
– Peng, Mainz, Germany – Na und…?Ja gerne!
– Herne Bahnhof, Herne, Germany – Infusion #3
– Kunstraum EN, Ennepetal, Germany
2009
– Galerie Richter & Masset, Munich, Germany – The Pickart Festival
2006
– Bochum, Germany – Ruhrpuls
SCREENINGS
2017
– Notkirche Essen, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mqGMTZax-s
2016
– Essener Filmkunsttheater, Essen, Germany – Video Rodeo Essen
2015
– Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn, Germany – BundeskunstHALL OF FAME!
2011
– Dortmunder U, Dortmund, Germany – Jugend checkt Leerstand
– Dortmund, Germany – International Women Film Festival
INVITED TALKS
2016
– Philharmonie Essen, Essen, Germany – Forum d’Avignon
2014
– Alhóndiga / Azkuna Zentroa, Bilbao, Spain – CATALYSE, by Forum d’Avignon, Bilbao Metropoli 30 and the European Centre for Creative Economy (eCCe)
2013
– PACT Zollverein, Essen, Germany – Forum d’Avignon – Shake Hans – Europa 2020 – Kultur ist der Schlüssel
– LehmbruckMuseum, Duisburg, Germany – plastikBAR / BAR jeder Architektur? „Graffiti – Sachbeschädigung oder Kunst?
2011
– Dortmund, Essen – Jugend checkt Leerstand, invited by Experimenteller Wohnungs- und Städtebau (ExWoSt)
2006
– Philharmonie Essen, Essen, Germany – Essens Beste 2005
ART TEACHING
2014
– Beising Schule, Essen, Germany
2013-2014
– Jugendhilfe Essen, Essen, Germany
2012
– Marie-Curie-Realschule Holthausen, Essen, Germany
Victoria Gymnasium
– Schule an der Heinickestraße, Essen, Germany
2011
– Sozialdienst Katholischer Frauen Essen E.V., Essen, Germany
2010
– Realschule Essen-Überruhr, Essen, Germany
2009-2015
– Storp9, Essen, Germany
COMMISSIONS / WORKSHOPS
2016
– Zeche Carl, Essen, Germany – Circles of Life – Stage set in collaboration with youth refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Iraq and others. Commissioned by Anneliese-Brost Stiftung, Förderfonds Interkultur Ruhr, Youth Organization City Essen, Youth Support Essen, Work Group Youth
2015
– College of Art, Essen, Germany – Abstract Art. Commissioned by City of Essen
– College of Art, Essen, Germany – Figurative Art. Commissioned by City of Essen
2014
– Franz Sales Haus, Essen, Germany – Mural painting on St. Barbara church in collaboration with disabled kids
– Justus-von-Liebig-Schule Moers, Germany – Stage set
– Consol Theater, Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Stage set
2011
– Dortmund, Essen – Jugend checkt Leerstand, invited by Experimenteller Wohnungs- und Städtebau (ExWoSt)
2010
– Zeche Zollverein, Essen, Germany – Stage set
– Ennepetal main station, Ennepetal, Germany – Mural on entire station. Commissioned by City of Ennepetal
2009-2010
– Viehofer Platz, Essen, Germany – 1.200m2 mural in underground station in collaboration with students of five different schools. Commissioned by Essener Verkehrs-AG (EVAG)
PRESS
– Sprayer Gigo kämpft gegen „architektonische Pestbeulen“
– „Ein neuer, ärgerlicher Schandfleck“
– Wandmalereien regen zum Dialog an
– Propaganda und Bilder zum Glauben
– Kunstprojekt sucht junge Mitstreiter
AWARDS
2013
– Wände SüdOst, Spillover Effect – From the European Centre for Creative Economy (eCCe)
2012
– NRW Preis, Kultur prägt! – NRW Kultusministerium
2006
– Voluntary Award – Essens Beste 2005 – From the City of Essen
1996
– First price at Essen short movie competition (Young artist video)
FAIRS
2012
– Parallax Art Fair, London, United Kingdom
Gigo Propaganda 