Innocent Nkurunziza is a renowned Rwandan talented artist, and one of the painters riding the wave of the future of Ivuka Art Studio, based in Kacyiru.

At this rate, it’s clear that Rwanda’s art industry is transforming to a greater stage, and has been represented in several international art competitions.

The completely new and developing strength, with which this art process is rebirthing, is attributed to the country’s own talents, and young determined artists.

At only 23 years, the young artist has achieved quite considerably as an endowed painter, given the growing state of Rwanda’s art audience.

Among his most recent achievements, was his solo exhibition dubbed, ‘My beginnings’ that took place at Torero Café.

The three-week long exhibition was comprised of a display of a number of his finished art pieces and attracted hundreds of art lovers and collectors.

"My intention was mainly, to showcase Rwanda’s cultural identities and that of the world in general in terms of culture,” Nkurunziza told The New Times during an interview.

This is not only his motivation as an artist, Nkurunziza also enjoys the fact that he can see how people appreciate and understand the meaning of life through art paintings.

"Personally, I find painting an important part of life which is very essential for every individual in all social, religious, and political circles,” he said.

Specializing in ‘Abstract Impressionism’ a form of abstract painting that uses a visual language of form, colour and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence.

Nkurunziza’s artwork takes a twist in liberties, altering for instance in colour and form in ways that are conspicuous, to create beautiful abstract paintings.

He says that, having the ability to paint like he does comes from the lessons he learns from people through their views.
Recently, Nkurunziza introduced a new attraction to his collection. The ‘White Paintings’ which he does in another style called ‘Mixed Media.’ His inspiration to do these pieces comes from ants (insects) and how they strive in their social networks.

The paintings from his new style are created from the bark cloth, which is also commonly used by artists in Ugandan, New Zealand and the Aborigines from Australia.

With future plans of participating in various international painting workshops and exhibitions, Nkurunziza intends to embark on new projects which will finally recruit, support and lift up young upcoming painters for future generations to come.

This, to Nkurunziza is what it means to tirelessly work towards achieving the country’s art development.

This regeneration and transformation in the art industry is what he hopes will reach to a level where Rwandans will appreciate their cultural identity just like the rest of the world has.

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