Art has given me a clear vision to express myself- Emmanuel Nkuranga

Emmanuel Nkuranga is one of the passionate painters caught up in the rebirth of Rwanda’s contemporary art scene. He works at Ivuka Art Studio’s in Kacyiru, Kigali and is also a member of Isoko Arts Rwanda- a national arts association. In a recent Solo Art Exhibition in Sweden titled ‘The Dedication’, Nkuranga was propelled as a young African talented artist while he grasped at the opportunity to exhibit with other international painters. Since April 1st, 2010, Nkuranga has been displaying his finished pieces at Kigali International Airport, in an exhibition dubbed, ‘The Transformation.’ The exhibition ends tomorrow April 30th, 2010. “As we remember the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the exhibition serves to encourage Rwandans to stay peaceful as we transform our lives and make the country a better place,” Nkuranga said. Through venturing in acrylics and mixed media on canvas—a skill he picked from his artistic friends, Nkuranga predominantly uses the colours orange, blue and white to furbish his paintings. He uses paint strokes of his selected colours, paint brushes and palette knives to create intriguing images. “I always loved the concept of art. I joined art neither to simply gain financial freedom nor to seek societal approval and recognition. I love to do thing that capture people’s attention. I wanted people worldwide to look at my paintings and feel that the world is a better place to be,” said Nkuranga. Having realized that Art is a God given gift, Nkuranga begun the journey to establish himself as a Rwandan painter despite his background education in Information Technology acquired at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. “Rwanda provides great opportunity from its beautiful natural scenery, unique culture and, this is the potential and ability we have as Rwandan painters to showcase the country’s beautiful heritage through art,” he added. “I have managed to use art as a tool to express my feelings, ease stress and become self employed. Art has given me a clear vision to express myself as an artist who can’t live without his palette knife, paints, brushes and canvas,” Nkuranga said. Art Exhibitions held Single Exhibitions•‘The Transformation’ at Kigali International Airport, April 1st, 2010.•‘The Dedication’ in Sweden, Gorthenburg, January 14th to February 15th, 2010. Group Exhibitions•Isoko Colours at Laico Hotel Kigali, March 25th, 2010.•Group Exhibition at the American Embassy, January 28th, 2010.•Ivuka Arts launch at Heaven Restaurant, November 20th, 2009.•Group Exhibition at American Embassy, 0ctober 14th, 2009.•Ivuka Arts Anniversary at Heaven Restaurant, 2008.•Jazz for Peace, at Serena Hotel, 2008. Ends

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Art has given me a clear vision to express myself- Emmanuel Nkuranga