2016 saw growth in the visual arts sector

As the curtain comes down on the year 2016, it is befitting to pay tribute to the visual artists, who worked determinedly to improve the burgeoning art sector. Art in Rwanda continued to show positive signs of growth this year, with several visual artists across the country holding successful exhibitions that attracted hundreds of art enthusiasts to each event. The year was not the busiest on the local visual arts scene, but two things stood out: There was a sense of community among the arts fraternity, with a number of projects on which they collaborated. Veteran artist Epa Binamungu’s “365 Days Exhibition”, which brought together 23 visual artists is one such event. 2016 also brought heightened interest in the sector from foreign players who staged various events here. A taste of Korean contemporary art In June, the Korean Embassy in Kigali hosted an art exhibition titled, “Being, Another”, by Korean contemporary visual artist Oh Youngsook. It explored the possibilities of merging cultures with art. (L-R) Minister for Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu, Oh Youngsook, and Korean Ambassador to Rwanda Park Yong-min, during the exhibition. / File The exhibition at the Hotel des Mille Collines drew diplomats, government officials and artists alike. Youngsook exhibited 21 works dotted at various points in the hotel, most depicting various aspects of Korean culture through her pallet. The exhibition lasted 30 Days. Mohammed Ali honoured in Kigali On Friday, June 3, former heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed on, aged 74. Ali had cultivated a cult-like persona and following across the globe not only for his skills in the boxing ring, but also his outspoken political and racial activism. The King of Boxing was honoured in Kigali. / File He was not only respected, but also feared by the American political establishment for his strong political views. It’s no wonder that in far off Rwanda, a tribute event was staged in his honor at the Innovation Village in Kigali “I Am Ali”, the 2014 Clare Lewins documentary in which the boxer’s audio journals, friends, family and fellow boxers provide insight into his extraordinary life and legendary career was screened. The venue was also awash with iconic portraits of the legendary boxer by Rwandan-French visual artist Mucyo Mu. The previous year, Mucyo had staged a solo exhibition titled, “Ali Bomaye”, in honor of the noble ideals he pursued. “In The Eye of the Artist”, documentary screened Then there was the case of Rwanda’s visual arts journey told through, “In The Eye of the Artist”, a documentary by French filmmaker David Helft in September. Local visual artists pose for a photo with French filmmaker David Helft (centre in a suit), at the premiere of the In the Eye of the Artist, documentary. / File “In The Eye of the Artist”, traces the evolution of Rwanda’s visual arts scene from the time of traditional Rwandan society till the present. It premiered at Umubano Hotel, Kigali, in an art exhibition hosted by the Inganzo Arts Center. The 52-minute documentary will be translated into English and Kinyarwanda to reach other audiences. Korean Corner opens in Kigali In the same month, a “Korean Corner” was launched at Kigali Public Library in Kacyiru, aimed at providing wider access to Korean culture and literature to the Rwandan public. Amb. Park Yong-min (L), Dr. Celestin Ntivuguruzwa, and Choi je yun from KOICA, launch the Korea Corner at Kigali Public Library. / File The corner boasts of Korean traditional art and crafts, audio-visual materials, books, and other non-print resources. Gazing at the contemporary world, a photo exhibition by the Japan Foundation followed closely on the heels of Korean Corner. Staged at Petit Stade in Remera, the two week exhibition sought to showcase Japan’s transformation over the years. The exhibition is composed of two themes; ‘A changing society,’ which focused on human beings as members of society, and ‘Changing landscapes,’ which looked at cities, the suburbs and nature from which 76 photographs were exhibited by 23 photographers. “This new traveling exhibition of Japanese photography from 1970s to the present is an overview of the diverse photographic expression that has emerged in Japan for all these years,” remarked Shintaro Nakaaki, the Japan Foundation representative at the event. Wandulu’s debut solo art exhibition Visual artist Timothy Wandulu, formerly with the Inema Arts Center, broke out to fly solo in February this year, launching his own Concept Arts Studio just a stone’s throw away from his former workplace. One of Wandulu’s pieces titled, Credit Refill. / File On November 4, he held his maiden solo exhibition titled, “Beauty Capsule” at The Office shared working space in Kiyovu. In it, the artist captured the beauty of the city of Kigali, ranging from transportation, day-to-day life, and street scenes. Art legend Binamungu in ‘A Journey of 365 Days’ exhibition On Saturday December 17, veteran artist Epa Binamungu literally wound up the year with his aptly titled 365 Days Art Exhibition. Epa Binamungu inside his Inganzo Art gallery located in Kimihurura. / File The father-figure in the local visual arts scene, Binamungu brought together 23 visual artists, young and old and together they came up with 365 art pieces for the exhibition, to depict a year’s journey. The exhibition doubled as the official launch of his Inganzo Arts Center, located in Masaka Sector of Kicukiro district. The center had previously been located at the Kigali Business Center (KBC) in Kimihurura. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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2016 saw growth in the visual arts sector