It’s been 28 years since the Rwandan genocide happened. It is the one thing that’s tainted the country’s history and even as the years go by, it remains fresh in the country’s psyche. Understandably, it is an event that no one wants to remember but it is important as a teaching tool that such issues are talked about.
This is what Kakizi Jemima, a curator, painter, lay counsellor, and activist is doing through her exhibitions. One of her exhibitions named ‘Walk With Me’ is meant to address mental health issues occasioned by such historical events and even the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, her body of work is meant to provoke conversations that people shy away from. For instance climate change and environmental conservation.
Jemima is inspired by a couple of things, one of which is culture. Her paintings capture this. We’ve had a chance to interact with them and if you look closely, you will see the similarities and how she brings out these issues.
As she works on her work, it is not lost on her that she needs to uplift other women. To that effect, she created the Rwandan Women Artists Collective, to help female artists receive the recognition they deserve.
For all her work, she was nominated for Forbes Women Africa (social impact).
To read more about Kakizi Jemima’s work, check out this piece that Anjellah Owino wrote for YAZA Kenya.