{Innocent Nkurunziza, internationally recognized as a leader in African painting, opens his show Woven Life Tapestry at Inema Art Center in Kacyiru.}
The show focuses on Nkurunziza’s signature spiral patterns and dot-and-line works. The spiral patterns depict the circular flow of life. The blend of colors on the canvas, distinct yet interconnected; demonstrate how life events are woven together and apart at the same time.
“Each line represents a line in my life, how I see the world,” says Nkurunziza. “It’s philosophical and spiritual. When you see the spirals, the never show you that they’re ending, they show you they’re beginning. There’s always continuity.”
Nkurunziza says that’s why he always works from the center: when you move further away the spirals expand; when you move closer, they pull you into the center.
A variety of large-format spirals, in different colors and meanings, are spread throughout the gallery space. Of particular note is “Unity” that shows the gorilla in the middle. Nkurunziza says that the painting shows the way that the gorilla unifies people from different areas in the world. The gorilla has the Rwandan attachment, it’s a source of income to Rwanda, and they attract broader communities to Rwanda.
In addition to his spirals, Nkurunziza takes on ambitious works for his show, including “Unity Through Music.” This 48-panel piece shows distinct musical instruments in his dot-and-line style.
Each panel’s instrument originates from a different country, from the traditional harp, and guitar, to xylophone, horn, calabash, drums, djembe, and trumpet. For Nkurunziza, each instrument he chose produces a rhythm of hope, unity, and a connection that brings everyone together through love, dancing, and celebration.
The show continues to demonstrate Rwanda’s growing art scene and position in the wider international art scene. After showing around the world, this is Nkurunziza’s first solo show in Rwanda.
{{ABOUT WOVEN LIFE TAPESTRY}}
Come celebrate the Woven Life Tapestry
6 PM – 10 PM
October 16, 2014
Inema Art Center
Kacyiru, Kigali
The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
{{ABOUT INNOCENT NKURUNZIZA}}
Nkurunziza Innocent is one of the leading contemporary artists in Rwanda. He is a prominent force in the development and promotion of the contemporary arts scene in Rwanda and admirably succeeds in making it an inclusive process by engaging the broader community. Nkurunziza paints, makes sculptures, and designs jewelry in an abstract-expressionistic style. He has participated in various local, international, solo and group exhibitions; including in the Wilmington, NC; New York; Portland, OR; Boston; Charlottesville, Virginia; Scotland; Canada; Germany; Denmark, and Holland.
{{ABOUT INEMA ART CENTER}}
Founded in 2012 by brothers and self-taught painters Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, Inema Arts Center spurs creativity for personal, social, and economic growth. Nkurunziza and Nkuranga started Inema to tap the untapped potential of art in Rwanda. To use creative expression to bring the community and country alive. To provide exposure to creative people and create opportunities for Rwanda’s most underserved to use creativity for a productive livelihood. Today, Inema Arts Center has become a beacon in Rwanda for cultivating creative expression.
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