The Labelling Project – You Judge

“Initially, I resisted writing a description for this work, believing the title You Judge spoke for itself. Yet, here I am, compelled to articulate the layers of this evolving performance.” Robert Ssempijja

This Project began as an exploratory photography collaboration between Ugandan artist Robert Ssempijja and Rwandan artist Abdoul Mujambere. What started as a visual dialogue capturing the nuances of identity and perception evolved into a performance piece, reflecting the organic and transformative nature of Ssempijja’s artistic practice

In You Judge, Ugandan artist Robert Ssempijja invites audiences into a deeply personal yet universally resonant exploration of identity, judgment, and the search for belonging. Rooted in stories from the Kampala community where Ssempijja grew up, the performance reflects on the expectations placed upon individuals by their communities and the ways in which judgment shapes our understanding of self and others. As the title suggests, You Judge is not only about being judged but also about the act of judging itself revealing more about the perceiver than the perceived.

At its core, the work examines the universal human experience of navigating societal roles and seeking acceptance. Whether consciously or not, we all adapt to our communities, striving to carve out a place where we can exist authentically. For some, the roles assigned by society align with their true selves; for others, the journey involves a struggle to redefine those roles as they grow and evolve. Judgment, Ssempijja argues, is an intrinsic part of this process. We judge others based on fragmented perceptions snapshots of behavior, rumors, or fleeting encounters and are judged in turn, often before we have the chance to fully reveal who we are.

You Judge seeks to illuminate this dynamic, encouraging audiences to reflect on their own biases and the partial lenses through which we view one another. By acknowledging that judgment is a shared human experience, the performance offers a pathway to empathy, helping us navigate moments of misunderstanding or alienation with greater awareness. It reminds us that no one sees the entirety of another’s story, and yet we are all shaped by the judgments we receive and offer.

What sets You Judge apart is its fluidity. The performance is intentionally unshackled from a fixed structure

, evolving with each new environment, audience, and cultural context in which it is presented. Designed with communities in mind, it adapts to the spaces it inhabits whether a bustling urban venue or an intimate local gathering drawing inspiration from the unique dynamics of each setting. This adaptability allows You Judge to remain a living, breathing work that resonates deeply with diverse audiences. Since its inception, You Judge has traveled across continents, with iterations performed in Senegal, Sweden, Uganda, and Germany. The work reached a significant milestone with its finalized version premiering at the 31st edition of Tanztage Berlin at Sophiensæle in 2022, followed by a tour across Germany in 2022/2023. Each performance has been a dialogue with its environment, reflecting the specific cultural and social nuances of the spaces where it is shared.

You Judge was brought to life through the generous support of a residency and co-production with Sophiensæle, in collaboration with Company Christoph Winkler. This partnership has been instrumental in shaping the work’s development, allowing Ssempijja to explore the intersections of movement, storytelling, and cultural reflection in innovative ways.