In a collaborative art exhibition Mediatrice Uwamahoro and Derrick Mugisha are to celebrate growth and improvements to challenge themselves to aim higher as they grow artistically and intellectually. The exhibition is slated from Saturday, March 16 to 23, at L’espace. The idea of the duo exhibition came after witnessing individual progress in their artistic endeavours and pursuit to showcase their unique talents to a bigger audience and seek meaningful interactions that will enrich them individually. Uwamahoro told The New Times that with the guidance of their mentors, they believed having an exhibition would be the next goal after gaining knowledge, experience, and confidence from the incubation program that they were offered by Art Rwanda- Ubuhanzi. As self-taught artists with unique voices, Uwamahoro said their focus is to invite people to see what a deaf artist like Mugisha can do and challenge people that art can be created with a range of materials like paper. To us, we see this huge step as an exciting achievement and a smell of success. “ As young artists, our journeys have made us realize that we have an audience that appreciates our works, in addition to that, we would like to grow our audiences, understand the different tastes and preferences people have in art, and grasp how the art scene works through events like exhibitions. We also aim to make sales to grow financially and be able to invest in our art careers. “We are interested in collaborations with other artists, and we are hoping that this exhibition will invite others to witness our journeys and also forge grounds that would allow us to work together,” she said. About the artists Mediatrice Uwamahoro, also known as Teta, is a Rwandan artist who started making art professionally in 202. She uses paper to create art. Her interest in paper inspired her to make meaningful collages and sculptural works. As a child, Uwamahoro liked reading children’s books but enjoyed looking at the illustrations, drawings, and photos which she would imitate. Her primary school was among the schools that participated in drawing competitions. She would participate in the competitions that allowed her to draw what she liked. In 2013, she emerged as the second winner in one of the competitions. In 2022, Uwamahoro participated in Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi and was the winner of the visual arts category. About Derrick Mugisha Born in 1997, Derrick Mugisha is a deaf Rwandan artist born in 1997, who has always been interested in visual art since he was a child. His spirit was motivated by his mother who raised and taught him how to draw using a pencil. From 2013 to 2016, Derrick studied in Uganda at Wakiso Secondary School for the Deaf. Despite the hardships he faced, he motivated himself to try his best to focus on his favorite interest which was art. Derrick has shown his works in different places hoping that he would meet someone to support his art. He participated in competitions like Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi and was selected among the best artists. He believes he is a talented artist and deserves more opportunities.
