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USING SIMPLE TOOLS like charcoal, granite pencils, and ball pens, artists turn their imaginations into visual art that are not only appealing but also convey messages.
In an evolving art world, local artists in Kigali are finding a niche in producing artworks, some of which have been showcased at several galleries and museums and galleries outside of Rwanda.
In a random survey, The New Times consulted different arts enthusiasts and came up with the top ten visual artists Rwanda has, in no particular order.
Epa Binamungu
Arguably the oldest artist in the country, Epa Binamungu needs no introduction in the local visual art circles with over four decades in the game.
Binamungu, 68, was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1954. It is from there that he discovered his knack for drawing at the tender age of eight. In 1973, he held his first ever solo art exhibition, thanks to a Belgian Catholic White Father who had earlier identified his talent.
Throughout his career, he has organised a series of famous art exhibitions including "Another language”, his recent contemporary art exhibition held in 2019, which put him in the league of his own and, despite his age. He is widely praised for being persistent in a profession that wasn’t given so much emphasis before.
Binamungu has an art gallery in Masaka and, before the pandemic, he held at least four art exhibitions every year.
Binamungu is regarded as a national treasure by many art enthusiasts, who have followed the country’s evolving art industry and his philosophy behind every piece of painting that he produces.
Pascal Bushayija
Most of the wall paintings found inside top hotels in Kigali were made by Pascal Bushayija, one of the best and most-experienced artists that Rwanda has in its ranks.
Alongside Epa Binamungu, Bushayija is one of the most celebrated artists of his generation.
His personality in the art industry and his magic touch in sculpture also saw him get involved in designing famous sculptures in the country including the new monument depicting Rwanda traditional dance at Sonatube roundabout in Kicukiro District.
Besides art, Bushayija is also a budding musician.
Paul Mugisha
The 23-year-old began drawing on walls and floors using charcoal as a kid. As a teenager, he began doing some research on the basic principles of art through the internet and got the inspiration from E-Art, a Facebook group that brings artists together to share their ideas.
His best works got the nod by different international art exhibitions. His recent participation at an international art exhibition event was in 2019 when he exhibited his ‘Rwanda Retold’ at MoCada Museum in New York,
He is a member of Envision Media Arts Collective, a multimedia arts collective and gallery based in Kigali that creates cutting edge art and opportunities for emerging local artists
but he is currently working with collecters to sell his art work.
Bernard Birasa
A graduate of Ecole d’Arts de Nyundo in Rubavu, Bernard Birasa’s creativity has seen him get involved in the fast evolution of the arts industry in Rwanda over the decade.
His works attract attention not only from Rwanda, as his finest paintings get market exposure outside the country, especially in Ethiopia, Canada and Libreville in Gabon among others
Birasa is also a conservationist of Rwandan culture. He combined his passion for arts and love for Rwanda culture and produced some art works which are now stored at Rwanda Art Museum in Kanombe.
BirasArt Gallery is located at Lemigo Hotel. He is also the producer of the majority of the hotel’s wall paintings.
Jean Bosco Bakunzi
Jean Bosco Bakunzi is not a new name among the arts fraternity in Rwanda.
A survivor, and orphan, of the 199 Genocide against the Tutsi, Bakunzi used art as a tool to overcome his trauma and hatred for the people who were involved in killing his family.
Bakunzi has done a series of art exhibitions at his art gallery dubbed ‘Uburanga’ through which inspired many young kids to unlock their creative potential.
His beautiful paintings became known for their semi abstract nature, fluidity, unique textures, bright colors, and their themes which explore traditional Rwandan culture.
Onesime Sezerano
As a beneficiary of Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi, visual artist Onesime Sezerano found a big platform with which to present his talent to the world of arts and his creativity has influenced his quick rise to fame in a few years.
If you pass by Art-Rwanda Ubuhanzi’s showroom, his eye-catching paintings will impress you into buying one for your living room.
He is one of promising artists to watch in the near future.
Strong Karakire
Karakire is one of the many artists to look out for in the art scene in the city, where numerous galleries, art-focused community centers and independent studios have popped up in recent years.
Under various types of paints, namely; watercolors, oils and acrylics, some of Karakire’s works are inspired by the Rwanda’s devastating history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, while others, brightly painted and optimistic, look to the future.
Karakire’s talent in arts is undoubtedly impressive and watching his paintings and illustrious works at his gallery ‘Imagine Art Studio’ in Nyamirambo, would be a breathtaking experience.
Emmanuel Nkuranga
Nkuranga’s dream completely came true when he co-founded the Inema Art center, along with his brother Innocent Nkurunziza, after they traveled to the United States for artist residencies and toured the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim in New York.
He is known for using e-wastes like computer keyboards, resins, wood and other used electronic parts to make the best of recyclable art.
His pieces are among the most sought after at the international market with which he once charged one of his art piece back in 2017 with a price tag of $ 28,000.
Most of Nkuranga’s pieces mixed media creations on board.
Crista Uwase.
Few women have taken on art as a career but collage artist Crista Uwase has found a comfortable room in the male-dominated field and has been very active in Rwanda’s art industry.
Her artistic signature is collage and water colours, with the use of paper from magazines as a medium to create meaningful art. Her artwork is mainly aimed at empowering black women to address their challenges, including misrepresentation in the arts industry. Her art pieces are among the most sought after on the market, selling at good prices at international art exhibitions.
Bonfils Ngabonziza
One of the most talented contemporary artists of age, Ngabonziza who is regarded as one of the best painters/ muralists in town.
Inspired by children and women, the 28-year-old painter uses digital art to portray his inner feelings, conveying peaceful, loving and inspiring messages that inspire his audience as part of his contribution to Rwanda’s rebuilding process.
A member of Ivuka Arts an art studio located in Kacyiru, Ngabonziza is known for his creativity in making a series of murals across the country, particularly in Kigali.His paintings and murals most often revolve around social themes and aim to advance human rights for all.