Herve Ngabira, is endowed in the painting art genre. With a brush and paint, he will do magic. He is one of the few local artists that are earning from their work in Rwanda. The 24-year-old painter started drawing at the age of four, through the inspiration of his elder brother that he mimicked whenever he was sketching, using a pen and a pencil. He later got some training at the Nyundo School of Art for three years, though he focused on art as a profession in 2015. The painter uses acrylics, oil paints, and a brush, though paint, according to him, expensive as it is bought from Tanzania and USA. For him, painting was his choice of art because it is the best way he can express his feelings and ideas to the world. Herve Ngabira. Courtesy. “Painting as an art is needed mostly on the market, as it lasts for long, for instance, longer than even 100 years, yet very impressive and attractive because it is mixed with a variety of colors. Ngabira said that painting is a way of life to connect people and bring cultures and people together,” he said. He added that without the gratefulness of paintings and colors in life, people will have to find other networks to demonstrate their creativity, and channel their voices somewhere else. “Painting can last for a long time to portray the evidence of culture changes, evolution, revolution, historical era’s timeline, politics and history for the next generation to contemplate, converse and learn about,” he stated. Ngabira has started earning from his talent. In 2019, he won an award and cash prize at the Techno Art Competition. In 2018, he organised his first solo art exhibition that he always dreamed of. The exhibition dubbed, “Embracing Diversity” took him more than four months to complete all the 10 pieces that he used. It was one of the experiences that motivated him to push further, to where he is now. At the exhibition, he developed connections, and met more than 50 people, that some even turned into clients. Completing one portrait can take him about 14 to 60 days, depending on the elements needed for the painting. The painter sells his work both online and in art galleries such as Ivuka Art located in Kacyiru, Cultural heritage in Tanzania, and Tagzal Fine art in the U.S.A. The youngster noted that with painting, his memory and concentration are improved, he communicates better, stress is relieved, his creativity improves. But also, he advances in problem-solving skills, as he has to quickly learn to adapt and come up with creative solutions in case of any mistakes in the picture.
