Local artists showcase talent at regional exhibition

Two Rwandan visual artists are taking part in this year’s edition of the East Africa Art Biennale exhibition in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The exhibition, commonly referred to as EASTAFAB, opened on November 2 in Dar es Salaam. Now in its eighth edition, the East Africa Art Biennale aims at promoting and showcasing various art forms in East Africa. It was formed in 2003 in Dar es Salaam, and takes place every after two years. For the first time since its inception in 2005, this year’s exhibition will be held across six East African cities, including Kigali. After Dar es Salaam, the exhibition will move to Arusha in Tanzania, where it will be held from November 26 –December 4. From January 20 -28, the exhibition will be in Nairobi, while Kampala will host the exhibition from February 2-8, 2018. Kigali will host the exhibition from February 12 to 18, 2018, while in Burundi; the exhibition is scheduled for February 22-28 in Bujumbura. This year, organizers received more than 200 applications from local and international artists from all the East African countries, from which the best art works were selected. Art works on display at the exhibition include; paintings, sculptors, print works, conceptual and contextual works and installations, video art, textile art, and photography. The EASTAFAB also includes a limited space for African artists from regions other than East Africa as well as for foreign artists residing in East Africa or foreign artists whose productions are related to East Africa, to interact with local artists. Participating under this category from Rwanda is Regina Woeste, the wife to the German ambassador to Rwanda, Dr. Peter Woeste. “This is the best art work I have, so since I have been dreaming to let the world know what I do, it was my pleasure to submit this artwork,” said Niyonsaba Serge, one of the Rwandan visual artists taking part in the exhibition. Serge Niyonsaba at work. Niyonsaba will be showcasing one piece –a portrait of former US president Barack Obama. “I was supposed to submit three, but one was bought by a client and the second one, I already showcased it at the Jamafest 2017 in Kampala.” The piece is priced at $2,000 (about Rwf1.7m). Meanwhile, Jean-Marie Vianney Munezero will be exhibiting two paintings titled Heavy Wind and Distance. Artworks exhibited can be put on sale or not, depending on the participant’s expressed intention. Proceeds from sale of the artworks will be paid to the respective artists by the organising committee in Dar es Salaam after a deduction of a 20% commission, which goes to the biennale association. The festival will also feature dance, theater, poetry, comedy, singing, and different cultural music performances. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Local artists showcase talent at regional exhibition