Painter Micheline Teta is doing a 22 days art exhibition that conveys a healing message in Rwandan society and beyond.
Teta, a female painter, known as Chel because of her signature on all of her works, began her career as a painter this year and is currently exhibiting her work in a solo art exhibition that will run for 22 days.
The theme for the exhibition being "Chronicles of a hopeless dreamer.”
"I want to send a message to everyone struggling with mental issues that they are not alone and that there is hope for recovery,” Teta said.
She also added that she wants to show the world her artwork while showing something significant through her message. The exhibition focuses mainly on mental health and introduces the public to Teta’s story and struggles with depression and the ongoing healing path. The exhibition started on September 3 and is still happening.
The exhibition is divided into three parts, namely, music, poetry, and artworks. Teta introduces the whole exhibition with an intro song, "Intro to the chronicles of a hopeless dreamer,” which features; Its_Sandra, Big Game, and Painted Blvck.
"I planned to do this exhibition for 22 days because it reflects my age, 22 years old, and my artworks that are 22,” said Teta. Each painting in Teta’s art exhibition has a poem and a story behind it in one video, which spiced the whole exhibition, as some of the audience said.
"I hope that my art saves a lot of people, which relates to the message I wanted to pass to everyone that they are not alone,” said Teta
"As human beings, we go through hardship, either societal or self-pressure, it’s easy for other people to tell you to get over it or it’s not serious, but something like this exhibition helps you experience all that and get over it with time,” said Molly a lady who attended the exhibition
Teta says she has received feedback and emails from several people who saw her art and attended her exhibition so far, saying they don’t feel alone anymore. She says that is part of the exhibition’s success.
"I hope that my art gets higher and do even bigger projects, but also I hope that it’ll continue saving even more people,” she added.
This being Teta’s first exhibition, she says she learned a lot and had many experiences.
"Since it is my first exhibition and also a solo one, at first I made some mistakes while planning, but I learned a lot on the way, and everything went well,” said Teta. "I learned communication, how to talk to people while explaining my artworks, and organization. I met a lot of people, and I can say I got to hold on to many opportunities,” she added.
"The artworks here are good. Rwanda has talents growing. When you see some of these artworks, they speak to your mind, and after you read the description, you learn,” said Javan Mutsinzi, a business guy who attended the exhibition.
Teta stated that her main goal for the exhibition was to reach a great number of people and that so far, in the short time it has been running, it has reached a large number of people and that everything has gone above and beyond her expectations.
"It feels good achieving this. I saw that I can do big things and achieve my dreams as a female painter,” said Teta
"I love dear smile, it illustrates how sometimes people smile, but with other things going on inside, sometimes we just have to talk to people and understand them,” said Keza Doreen, a student at the exhibition.
Teta expressed her gratitude for the support and collaborations she received from several poets, Indiba art space, and other people who contributed a range of things to her exhibition.
The exhibition is happening via her website https://tetachel.art/ and youtube channel plus at Indiba art space at Rugando.
Asked about her future plans after this, Teta said she plans to do even more projects and continue to do art, conveying many more messages to society.
"No one should allow their thoughts to limit them. Everyone should do what they like and reach their dreams. The support needed is there, and you have to work hard to get it,” said Teta advising other female painters around.