Tongo art gallery comes of age

Eight months ago, Joe Mukuna, a Rwanda-based Congolese artist established Tongo Art Gallery in Kacyiru. Mukuna and his partner Sarah Manion, shared with Joseph Oindo about their unique work. Below are the excerpts: Please tell us about your gallery? We have made a number of renovations to the gallery since we opened in March. Visitors should come and see our new space as well as celebrate a new collection of paintings and jewelry designs. How is feedback from people about your work? Tongo Art Gallery has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Kigali community. We are now ranked among the top shopping destination for art. Clients say we provide the most original professional artwork in Rwanda. What is the style of Mukuna’s work? My work is primarily semi-impressionistic as well as abstract. The art industry in Rwanda is growing. Since my arrival in Kigali about two years ago, I have seen a significant growth in the local artistic community. What can art lovers expect from your artistic stable this festive season? Art lovers will revel in a new collection of abstract and figurative works whose unique colour pallet keeps the viewer engaged and excited. There will also be a new collection of Maji jewelry designs available in limited quantities. Mukuna is painting a large interior mural. (Photos by Joseph Oindo) Is Mukuna a contemporary artist and what materials does he work with? Is he an abstract or realism painter? I am a contemporary artist who works with oils, acrylic, watercolor and charcoal. My work is semi-impressionistic with a strong pull towards figurative and abstract works. What advice can you give young upcoming artists? Follow your passion and practice your technique. It is critical to listen to your creative spirit, but it is also just as necessary to practice the craft as art is a full-time profession.

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Tongo art gallery comes of age