King Ngabo's ‘Inzira Y'Inzitane’ art installation tells a Rwandan story
Friday, April 19, 2024
Inside King Ngabo's exhibition where he was showcasing different artworks at Museum Ngabo, located in Rebero. The art exhibition aims to sharing the authenticity of Rwanda’s history, journey, and the bravery of Rwandans in rebuilding their motherland. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi

An art installation ‘Inzira’ Y'Inzitane’ ‘ the story of Rwanda’ was exhibited on April 18, by Rwandan artist King Ngabo to help people understand the difficult journey of Rwanda since 1994 to this day.

The art exhibition, which was held at Museum Ngabo, located in Rebero aims at sharing the authenticity of Rwanda’s history, journey, and the bravery of Rwandans in rebuilding their motherland.

The exhibition kicked off with the attendees walking through a route filled with 30 barrels which represents 30 years since the Genocide. They were guided by dim light as they walked through and the moment they stepped out of the barrels settings, a clear sky appeared, representing hope for Rwanda, as explained by Ngabo.

The exhibition was graced by officials Richard Mutabazi, Bugesera District mayor and Germaine Mukabalisa, a member of the parliament, among others.

"Close your eyes and try to walk up those 30 stairs from first to last. Do not try to cheat.

Can you try? If you can’t, Open your eyes and run faster. As you walk through the 30 metal barrels don’t touch the barrels, Just run up there and look at the sky.

Mission impossible.

By watchful and brave, we walked through tragedy, pain and struggles. By hope, resilience,

dreams, and patriotism, we walked through the atrocities that wrecked our country 30 years ago to create a new Rwanda. Rwanda of dreams. Rwanda of hope. Rwanda we want. Rwanda for the next generations,” he said.

Some of the artworks that were displayed at the exhibition. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi

Mukabalisa also told the audience in attendance that: " it’s overwhelming to see a young person who was born after the Genocide telling us stories of our history and a museum. This proves that the trust we have in our youth is not to waste. It is hopeful that the youth like the majority of you here, come to such events and are curious to learn about the history of our country,” said Mukabalisa.

In 2023, Ngabo launched his first museum dedicated to African art and storytelling. The museum not only serves as a place to visit but also a center of creation with an art laboratory where people can learn more about arts.

King Ngabo is a Rwandan creative artist and storyteller, born in 1996. Founder and artistic director of Museum Ingabi, an African storytelling and art museum. He started his career as a children's book author. He has created various works that have received national and international recognition, including the storytelling art exhibition

"Saliyuti" which was exhibited in the Rwandan National Museum, the Museum for the Campaign Against Genocide and ‘Art For Memories’, an initiative to preserve in art the images of victims of Genocide Against the Tutsi in 1994.

Inside King Ngabo's exhibition where he was showcasing different artworks at Museum Ngabo, located in Rebero. The art exhibition aims to sharing the authenticity of Rwanda’s history, journey, and the bravery of Rwandans in rebuilding their motherland. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi