How often do you reach out to people to find out if they are okay? Sometimes people overlook a person in distress because they don’t recognise the symptoms of depression, or take it lightly, until it is too late. Daddy Ishimwe, a painter and artist, commonly known as Daddyisme, knows this well, and recalls how he lost a friend to suicide. Before he had even gotten over the shock, another friend also fell in the same despair pit and almost committed suicide. He realised that some people are actually broken but fail to open up to anyone or seek counselling, which eventually leads to severe depression and suicidal actions. He believes people only think to provide help when it’s too late and the damage has been done. For this reason, he has organised an art experience dubbed ‘Lost Souls”, which is a multimedia art show that is combined with powerful visuals, performance art, and compelling music. With his art, he wants to deliver a message; he believes that that’s one of the ways he can communicate to the public as many people live pretentious lives, showing that they are happy, yet their souls reflect the opposite. Ishimwe says that people should be around those that bring out the best in them, and learn to speak up when facing challenges, as that’s the beginning of healing. “The beauty about art is that it’s able to speak what others can’t, or what words can’t express, and allow people to let out their unspeakable emotions,” he says. Ishimwe is of the view that art can change the world and create hope. Which is why he is using his talent to bring reality, and communicate issues that affect people but are less discussed openly. He notes that with paintings, he expresses human anguish, emotional struggles, and how to find meaning in life. Through his paintings, he is able to highlight all kinds of emotions that people fear to express. Ishimwe explains that his art pieces aim at showing people how to express pain and anger in a safe way. With time, people feel relieved, because putting out allows people to resonate or connect with different situations. The painter also believes that at the end of the show, the audience may have a sense of relief from grief, and be more empowered to let out their sorrow in a healthy way. He also adds that art comes with some calmness, a means of meditation, and relaxation. His wish is to make a difference in people’s lives, so they don’t bottle up pain and negative feelings which could make them doubt themselves. Ishimwe says that most people require art therapy, this is the kind of treatment for persons experiencing developmental, medical, educational, social or psychological defects. It helps people improve their sense of personal well-being. Professional art therapy is said to have begun in the mid-20th Century as a restorative practice that allowed people to express themselves in nonverbal ways, such as drawing and painting. Art therapists guide people in connecting or reconnecting with the creative practices that support mental health, and that help people to grapple with life challenges and uncertainties. Art therapy is founded on the assumption that everyone is creative and capable of self-expression. Experts recommend creating a safe environment that allows clients to express themselves and communicate without worrying about whether they have great visual art skills or whether their artwork is technically brilliant. The show is scheduled for July 22 from 6pm to 10pm at Cafe Envision, in collaboration with Envision Rwanda, with artists like Alyn Sano, Ariel Wayz, Michael Makembe, and Manzi Mbaya scheduled to perform. Entrance fee is Rwf 10,000.
