History is not most probable in written traditions and tales of the past but can be conveyed through contemporary Art.“I am empowered to cover contemporary issues, including the events and moments that ought to be preserved. Recording such memories provokes reaction and engages debate on them. My images should serve to complement the written records,” says David Kigozi-a painter and sculptor.Art being a human activity acts as a means to some special kind of knowledge that gives an insight into human condition as a tool of education.Today we are deeply concerned with the ecological crisis of our planet, taking up the challenge to solve this does not only mean resorting to science but we need to start reflecting on the very relationship between our senses and nature itself, namely our aesthetics.That is, a critical reflection on Art, culture and nature. The practical function of the exhibition in the National Art Gallery is to give art its freedom to share its beauty the intellectual pleasure to the audience.The general focus is on how we see and understand the world we live in.As Rwanda is opening to the outside world, the National Art Gallery under the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda have left no stone un turned to preserve and protect Rwanda’s history and culture through art that testifies our originality and creativity.The National Art Gallery/museum located in the outskirts of Nyanza town houses the finest contemporary art collections of Rwanda and one of its kind in the great lakes region. Beautifully located on top of Rwesero hill, the structure built in the late 50’s by king “Mutara 111 Rudahigwa” and location itself is an experience to live as an excellent Rwandan attraction and colonial architecture endowed with royal history.From the very start, the unique building in its artistic setting has attracted many local and foreign visitors who feel proud in their hearts and even more welcoming while visiting the museum.Until 2012, the National Art Gallery started curating its first international art exhibition and the main target was to demonstrate that art could unveil complexities of African history from different perspectives and from different African countries.Though African art existed in many forms and styles and with fairly little influence from the outside world, art has never been without meaning in Africa.The artistic impressions explore and compare various topics affecting Africa like deforestation, genocide, colonialism, pollution, industrialisation, HIV/Aids and pain.These and many more exhibitions, show how art can contribute to the understanding, reconciliation, and reflection to remember past and present history as an investment of a major importance for every Rwandan inhabitant after the tragedy of 1994 genocide.Memories, experiences, hope and aspirations are expressed through colours, form and objects thus creating dialogue, beauty, peace and relations to the visitors.The artists testify not only in their visionary skills but also their concern for a continued creativity. “After the rain”, well demonstrated by one-Yves Manzi in his art piece at the National Art Gallery gives us a lesson for not shying away from the debris of genocide but find an everlasting solution to the aftermath of the tragedy through our culture of endurance, embracing peace and development in Rwanda.“Taxi for peace” by Epa Binamungu calls for the youth or the young to take the lead in finding and protecting the same if we are to have happiness, tolerance, forgiveness and enduring by tightening our belts for more hope to come.With well labeled messages and acts of sociability, dances, African proverbs, gender related issues are all hosted at the National Art Gallery by different artist all together and of which; these and many more others inspire our thoughts and change our mentality towards certain notions in life.This will certainly not help in creativity but also connect them to the rest of the world. As a true soul of a nation, art unites people in its interpretations by playing an intuitive role in the future.The writer is a cultural heritage analyst/philosophical studies consult.
