Rwandan photographer Alain Jules Hirwa, 27, is holding a solo exhibition of 40 photographs at L’Espace, Kimihurura, presenting a fresh perspective on everyday life through the lens of the artist deeply inspired by street photography greats like Nigeria’s Teju Cole and Italian Luigi Ghirri (RIP). Running from December 6-13, Hirwa’s work draws audiences into a world where the mundane transforms into art. His photographs tell silent stories, moments easily passed by on bustling streets or in forgotten corners, yet alive with emotion and meaning. ALSO READ: Solo art exhibition to illuminate nature of human experience “I was inspired by how Teju Cole and Luigi Ghirri captured the beauty of the mundane, they taught me that even overlooked scenes carry immense beauty if only we pause to see them,” Hirwa told The New Times. Hirwa encourages viewers to see beauty and meaning everyday. “Objects and scenes are often overlooked, they may seem ordinary or unimportant at first glance but, through the artist's lens, these details take on a new significance. Through my images, seemingly insignificant objects and places become mirrors of identity and memory,” he said. ALSO READ: Exhibition honouring role of mothers in Rwandan society “Every photograph is a conversation between light, memory, and emotion, a quiet dialogue where the overlooked becomes extraordinary. By capturing the mundane, I uncover traces of identity, nostalgia, and stories waiting to be seen.” For Hirwa, this exhibition is not just about photography but about self-reflection and storytelling and, bringing the exhibition to life, he wanted to show the audience that objects and places reflect who we are. “Each photograph portrays my mood, my dreams, my nostalgias, and the traces of my movements across the globe,” he said. Hirwa’s skillful imagination through his lens left exhibition goers blown, and one participant Carine Umutoni couldn’t hid her admiration for the street photographer’s work. “Hirwa’s work makes you stop and appreciate what we often miss, the play of light, the details on a forgotten corner, or an old chair we would never look at twice. It is like seeing poetry in the ordinary,” Umutoni said. “It is a lesson in slowing down. He captures emotions in places we often ignore, turning the ordinary into something deeply personal and beautiful. This exhibition is a refreshing take on storytelling.” Pass by and get a sneak peek into Hirwa’s photographs at the exhibition which runs through December.
