VISUAL ARTIST Bruce Mbanzabugabo has used his art to portray different messages of hope to the world and seeks to leverage it on the international level. One of his recent artworks “My Choice, Flames of Hope” depicts a message that is based on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In the portrait, one can see bodies of the victims of the Genocide, a child who symbolizes all ages and all genders, wearing bloody clothes, has an amputated part of his right hand and scars on his head and is running with a flame of fire in the darkness of the forest. That, according to Mbanzamugabo, reflects that no matter the impact and suffering the Genocide caused, Rwandans have hope of living and forgiveness which he portrays as a burning flame. My Choice, Flames of Hope - one of Bruce Mbanzabugabo’s artworks. Courtesy photos. As we mark the 28th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda (Kwibuka 28), we know that there are artists who played part in the Genocide. As an artist, I took my time and crafted this portrait as a contribution to my country. My purpose is to give it to Kigali Genocide Memorial, he said. My message is targeting everyone because we have a lot to learn from our history and from the child survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who were between 9 and 15, especially as youth. Mbanzamugabo who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science is also a professional photographer, creative and a multi-talented graphic designer who has worked with different national and international companies and institutions in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ivory Coast. Growing up, his father was a professional photographer too and he loved all kinds of arts. He liked to tell me things about photography and art; thats how I started to love art, Mbanzabugabo said. When he was in primary school (Grade 5), his father gave him a camera branded Kiev with a film and told him, this is yours. Now dont ask me for money. and supported his art with some necessary tools for a beginner, equipping him as best as he could. I remember that I used to draw pencil portraits at home, images on banners for my neighbourhood scouts, and even biology and geography drawings for teachers on the blackboard, he said. Later on, he stopped doing art and photography to focus on his studies and afterwards, he found himself involved in photography and graphic design again. Since he had pursued Computer Science, he used the skills in his art by fiddling with Photoshop to develop further skills in advancing his ambitions. He is aware that the era of digitization he belongs to has expanded the view and appreciation of art in a wider spectrum and visibility across the world. He said that he loves art because its a channel that he uses to spread his thoughts and messages, adding that it communicates with a large number of people and is an easy way of expression. Tackling his uniqueness, he said: Every painting I do is a story; it has a name, and the colours in it correspond to the message I want to convey. I blend different cultures, thoughts, stories and emotions of my environment. I use various skills such as drawings, photography and paintings to deliver my work which makes it distinct and outstanding. His other artworks include Impano, Mbwira, Chic, Bough, Called to Night, Afr’Ubuhle, La Féerie, Umugongo, Exodus, Sodja, Harmony, Ebun, among others. He said that art has enabled him to gain audience and express his thoughts and emotions, gaining attention and appreciation. His challenge is that that people who value art are still few, adding that, There are challenges of monetizing art to bring value to the artists as the market is limited. The cost of doing art ranging from materials and promotion is rarely appreciated. However, he looks forward to doing more portrait drawings and participating in various exhibition where he can display his artworks to the world. He can be found on +250 788 716 726, Instagram: mbanzabruce_art &brucembanzabugabophotography Twitter: @brucem763 (Bruce Mbanzabugabo) and Linkedin: Bruce Mbanzabugabo
