At 22 years of age, Moses Izabiriza has already decided what he wants to be the rest of his life: to become a professional painter. He says that he is driven by deep passion for arts to ensure that he succeeds in the industry. 

Joseph Oindo interviewed Izabiriza who plies his trade at Ivuka Art Centre. Below are the excerpts.

Tell us about your early foray into arts?

I discovered my strong passion when still at EPAK Don Bosco Primary School in Kimihurura. I just wanted to draw what I observed and also experiment with making cars from discarded wires. My contemporaries used to depend on me to make them toys.

Were your teachers and parents happy with your love for arts?

My parents wanted me to study at the expense of arts. Even though I had lost my mother at this time, my father was not happy and he reproached me a lot for my passion for arts at the expense of formal education. In primary, I was suspended for two weeks because the teachers saw that I was spending most of my time doing art instead of studying.

Did you drop your passion after these series of mishaps?

No. I did arts secretly. I would still draw but keep my drawings to myself. But when chance beckoned to join secondary school, I chose to go to Nyundo School of Arts in Rubavu.

And what was your life after Nyundo?

I was now a free bird to choose what I wanted to do with life. Naturally, I began looking for arts centers that were sprouting here in Kigali and I found myself at Ivuka Arts Center two years ago. I have never looked back.

Does art pay?

When you are patient with it and you’re passionate with your work it pays.

What advise do you have for parents that are still cagey about arts?

This is just another profession like the other. My father eventually accepted that this was my passion. Parents should let their children follow their dreams

And the government?

The government should invest in the industry just like they do in sports. Arts have potential to create jobs.

What’s your kind of arts?

I do semi-realism and abstract arts. I paint, do sculpturing and also write poetry.

Who inspires you in arts?

Both Van Gogh and Davinsky. They are classical artists whose works have endured the test of time.

Your future ambition?

I joined arts industry to gain something from it. I want that in future, I want to have my own arts studio not only here in Rwanda but the rest of East Africa. I want young, talented and passionate kids to discover their niche and do arts, because I believe that in future, this is going to be a big industry. I would like to help them discover their passion.