A day in the life… : Of a visual artist

Innocent Buregeya, is a 22-year-old visual artist, employed at Uburanga Arts studio In Kimihurura, a Kigali outskirt. He wakes up at 6:00am, says a prayer then hits the bathroom for a shower before settling for a warm breakfast.His work day kicks off at 8:00am with meetings with clients, gallery visitors or partners. An hour after, normal work starts and this involves mixing colours, drawing, painting, woodcutting and so on. “One thing I like about art is that I don’t have to use a lot of mental and physical effort to pull off a creation. Everything just seems to flow naturally,” he says.He describes art as a lifelong love affair with light and darkness, self-expression, and the irrepressible urge to create something that conjures a moment of insight or memory.Innocent also points out that his business booms during the festive season, when tourists and members of the expat community travel to Rwanda.“What inspires me is everyday life; the pains, challenges and moments of happiness. They give me fresh ideas for art creations.”However he points out the unreliable supply of artwork implements. So most times they have no option but to import them from Uganda and Kenya. He also decries the uncultivated love for art by most Rwandans which limits their market. Innocent ends his work day at 5:00pm.