#kurema

[bbyblackcat]

Incomplete 6 Tails | Reference sheet

[thecolourproject-blog]

Kigali's first large scale mural comes to life, with a cause

Getting the artwork up onto the 16 meter building had all the makings of a good comedy. At our first encounter with the wall we were introduced to the shoddy looking and swerving scaffolding that, besides the safety implication, took us as far as the skirt of our intore warrior.  After scouring much of the city, the team eventually came across the lesser-spotted cherry picker that would extend its long neck and bucket to the top of the wall. For added fun, the driver came with his foot  a in cast. 

The comedy was certainly a feel-good. Working with the Vuka artists was pure delight. At first appearing difficult to read, the locals are some of the kindest and most charming people we've ever had the opportunity to take residence with. The mural that colours the Rwandan bio-medical center is an expression of their collective talent. The top of the mural reads 'My Lovely Rwanda, together we will stand up and fight against the stigma of Aids.' I hope this is only the beginning of more positive public art in Kigali. 

[thecolourproject-blog]

Kurema, Kureba, Kwiga- to Create, to See, to Learn

We were invited by the wonderful people from the Kurema project to be a part of the first large-scale mural in Kigali, to be painted in honour of World Aids Day coming up on the 1st of December. Specifically, the project will aim to address the issues around the stigma of those living with or affected by HIV at a personal and community level. The first part of our mission is to work with the local artists of Ivuka to co-create a design that will help represent this message. The message needs to be clear and culturally relevant.  In the workshop, the artists taught us about traditional intore warriors and dancers of Rwanda and other symbols of strength and community. 

Rwanda is a very complex yet deeply beautiful country. The country is still healing from its devastating history that destroyed an entire people. Many people, especially woman and children, were infected with the virus during the months of terror. Many more are still living with it today. Kurema aims to give these people a voice, to explore platforms of expression through art and stories of 'living positively.' Above all, Kurema aims to educate people by creating an open discussion around discrimination and stigma. The country is still healing, but I am humbled at how far they have come to reconcile. My experience here so far has been gentle, original and moving. 

[thecolourproject-blog]

We’ve arrived in the land of a thousand hills and the Vuka Arts studio in Kigali will be our new home for the next week. Open studio spaces look over lush green hills, and there is constant life with the Rwandan dance troupe singing and drumming.The walls are draped with magnificent art and sculptures made from waste materials. The studio has played an important role in developing a platform for local art, and for many artists, an opportunity to create a positive life for themselves.

We'll be here for the next two weeks working with 16 local artists in residency at the studio and participating in the Kurema, Kureba, Kwiga public arts project. 

[judester]

Stigma sculpture, in the works #Kurema akurebakwiga #kigali #publicart #hiv #hands #socialchange #rwanda (at Ivuka Arts)