A unique exhibition titled “Art for Peace” seeks to unify artists, as well as further introduce a new trend for local events.

The exhibition, which kicked off on May 18 until June, also provides a new hangout joint for art lovers.

With new venues emerging across the country, the Rwanda Art Museum, located at Kanombe, in Kigali (the former Presidential Palace Museum), currently hosts the exhibition.

Being the first ever art exhibition of its kind, it was unveiled during the museum’s inauguration on May 18. The theme of the show is “Art for Peace” and it features 127 artworks by 51 different artists.

Ranging from paintings, ceramics, sculptures and mixed media forms on two floors of the building.

The theme is inspired by Rwanda’s journey from a dark past to where the country is today. The collection showcases the different approaches of each artist.

Some of the featured artists include Serbian artist Nalasha Vakovic who uses impressionism to depict the fury and worry the country faced as divisions emerged during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He also depicts Rwanda’s hilly nature and culture.

Epa Binamungu has a piece titled Taxi for Peace, which uses an old motorcycle, ropes, shoes, backcloth glued together with sawdust and wood glue.

The front peddle of the motorcycle has a smaller shoe, yet the rare peddle holds a bigger shoe. This implies that the country’s youth are aiding in the country’s development.

Laurent Hategekimana’s piece is titled Ubwubahane (meaning mutual respect) and is a wood carving depicting two hands holding a seedling.

The museum hopes to hold more exhibitions featuring local and international artists.