With the aim of taking his audience on an exploration journey of Rwanda’s history, local artist Henry Munyaneza recently presented an emotion-touching solo art exhibition dubbed ‘The Pages of Pain.’ The two-week event that was concluded on June 17, delved into the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, shedding light on the resilience of Rwanda as a country that has triumphed over its dark past. Munyaneza was born after the genocide, but he has embarked on playing part in telling the story of what happened. He told The New Times that his art exhibition was stimulated an experience he had after visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center. “I really wanted to tell the heart-wrenching story of Rwanda to unveil stories of anguish, loss, and the deep human strength merged from that darkness that Rwanda has passed through.” The Pages of Pain was a seven-art pieces’ exhibition aimed at paying tribute to both the survivors and the fallen, with their voices echoing through the strokes of the artist, serving as a reminder to reflect on the enduring power of hope and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of the genocide. “I did these seven paintings to explain the haunting beauty of a nation’s struggle and unwavering determination to rebuild shattered lives that unfolded before their eyes.” The seven art pieces include; ‘I can see’ which showcased the pain and transformation of Rwanda, ‘Izere’ which expressed the pain of losing the beloved one in Genocide, ‘Impore’, a deep evocative painting about losing children and parents in Genocide, ‘Komera’ which portrayed encouragement and support shared among Rwandans, and ‘Umuco’, an emphasis on knowing and embracing one’s history. The others are: ‘Urumuri,’ which is a poignant painting that captured the conversion of the history of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, from the adult to the younger generation, and ‘Kwibuka’ a powerful painting which shared the responsibility of commemorating the Genocide with emphasis on doing so beyond generations and locations. The exhibition not only gave a visual journey to honour and commemorate the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi for the lost lives, but it also served as a path to healing and reconciliation. Divine Ineza, one of the guests at the exhibition told The New Times about what she thought about it. “It was a bridge to connect people from diverse backgrounds to reflect and be empathetic. It, therefore, brought us together to acknowledge the painful chapter of our history, pay tribute to those affected, as well as work towards a more compassionate and inclusive future.” The art pieces are currently being sold at Neza-h Art Studio, Kacyiru.
