This publication presents a complex view of East African art that defies fixed geographies, emphasising connections that transcend borders and histories. Drawing from the ARAK Collection and inspired by the legacy of Makerere University in Uganda, this publication and exhibition – which opened at Artron Art Centre in Shenzhen, China (2025) – highlights the work of East African artists who explore identity and place amidst shifting cultural landscapes. Anchored in Lucille Clifton’s poem, “for the lame”, showcases the work of sixteen artists from both Eastern Africa and neighbouring regions, underscoring centuries-old exchanges along the Swahili coast that fuse African, Arab, Persian, and Indian culture.