Rwandan deaf artist Yvonne Nkera debuts her solo exhibition, "Signs of Change”, at Centre Culturel Francophone du Rwanda, Kigali.

The exhibition, which opened on February 20 and runs until February 27, explores the impact of climate change on disability rights, with a focus on the unique challenges faced by deaf individuals during natural disasters.

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Motivated by the climate-related challenges witnessed in Rwanda such as floods, landslides, and displacement, Nkera uses her art to bring attention to how these environmental changes affect people with disabilities.

Through a series of powerful paintings, the artist calls on viewers to reassess how society supports disabled communities, particularly during times of crisis, and urges for policies that ensure more inclusive disaster preparedness and response.

Nkera’s work highlights various barriers that people with disabilities, especially the deaf, face in emergency situations.

Deaf individuals, she said, often cannot hear critical auditory warnings, such as sirens or emergency announcements, leaving them at a high risk during natural disasters. The lack of accessible evacuation routes, inadequate emergency protocols, and limited access to crucial information can compromise their safety, she noted.

"Studies show that individuals with disabilities are up to four times more likely to die in disasters compared to those without disabilities, thus the urgent need for inclusive disaster response measures.”

Nkera’s exhibition advocates for better disaster risk management policies that include the needs of people with disabilities.

Among her standout pieces is Connection, which addresses communication barriers, focusing on sign language as a vital mode of expression.

The piece features hands, representing sign language emerging from an ear symbolizing sound, while a central figure gazes outward, symbolizing the longing for connection and understanding.

Another painting, Water is Life, depicts people working together to purify polluted water, illustrating the shared responsibility to protect the environment and ensure a sustainable future for all.

Nkera began working on this series in November 2024, creating art that not only addresses climate change but also integrates elements of sign language to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by deaf people.

"My goal is to teach others how to support people with disabilities during climate change and other crises,” she said in an interview with The New Times conducted with the help of an interpreter.

Nkera describes her art as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and respect for individuals with disabilities.

"I want to see a world where people with disabilities are welcomed and their ideas valued,” she said.

She hopes to foster collaboration between deaf and hearing communities and inspire a more inclusive society.

Prince Nahimana, a deaf artist and founder of the Kigali Deaf Art Gallery, also attended the exhibition. He stressed the need to break down communication barriers between deaf and hearing individuals and create more opportunities for deaf artists to showcase their work.

"We aim to ensure that deaf artists are visible and valued in both local and international spaces,” he explained.

Amina Umuhoza, an entrepreneur and exhibition attendee, shared her excitement about learning sign language since November 2024, which enabled her to engage directly with the deaf community at the event.

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"It’s rewarding to connect with people using sign language without needing an interpreter,” she said.

Outside painting, Nkera mentors young artists, visits galleries, and shares her passion for graphic design with students. She is determined to inspire the next generation of artists and to promote inclusive spaces within the art world.

Her artistic journey began in 1996/97 in Uganda and has since evolved into a lifelong commitment to creative expression. Known for her resilience and innovation, she uses art to empower the deaf community and boost their voices.

In 2020, she founded Pastiche Art Studio in Kigali, pursuing independent projects while promoting community-driven work at the Kigali Deaf Art Gallery.

Her career began in advertising, where she worked as a graphic designer, before refining her skills in traditional painting at Nommo Art Gallery in Uganda. She graduated from Southwest College for the Deaf in Texas in 2010, blending digital publishing with her artistic talents.

Nkera’s work, which includes watercolours, oils, and acrylics, reflects themes of identity, community, and resilience, using bold colours and dynamic compositions to communicate powerfully through visual language.

She aims to establish a permanent space for Pastiche Art Studio, further supporting artistic development within the deaf community.