The visual art scene has welcomed its latest entrant, Kanyaburanga Art Centre, in what was a well-attended official launch event Saturday night. Not even a heavy downpour that took up the better part of the evening could dampen the mood. Ntagara Djamal (centre) shares a light moment with some of the exhibition goers. Kanyaburanga is the brainchild of visual artist Djamal Ntagara, and has been operational since the beginning of the year but the centre needs to officially introduce itself on the fast growing visual arts scene. Located on a street below Classic Hotel in Kicukiro, the centre was built from scratch by Ntagara after he left Uburanga Arts Centre following its closure in 2016. On the launch night, most of the pieces on display were the artist’s works from 2016 to date. Many of the pieces express the artist’s love for nature, the environment, and portraiture. Kanyaburanga Art Centre aims to give local artists the space and audience to showcase their work. In the main exhibition space, the exhibition’s centre piece, a table fashioned out of two huge truck tyres stands prominently. Outside, more recyclable art pieces curved out of disused materials like computer and automobile parts could be seen. But by far the busiest section at the exhibition was handcraft room, where exhibition goers marvelled at the beautiful lampshades and trinkets on display. Despite a heavy downpour, the event was well attended. Many exhibition goers walked away with a few buys. Ntagara’s works were exhibited alongside those of two budding artists, Shemsa Neza and Mike Katihabwa, who are both young visual artists on apprenticeship at Kanyaburanga. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
