Where are the women in Rwanda’s visual art scene?

That question may sound ignorant, even biased, to many but it is as valid a question as, “Is Rwanda’s visual art scene a playground of male artists?”

The answer to the first question is amply covered by the two-week exhibition dubbed “Shine Through Woman” that is unapologetic and generous in its collection of exceptional works by rising and experienced female visual artists.

This is a fresh break from the usual joint exhibitions dominated by male artists. Or as a critic quipped, “If you don’t look harder, Rwanda’s visual art scene is male!”

This exhibition has been hailed as a the bold first artistic step taken by women.

Shine Through Woman fine art exhibition occupies a residential space at Kiyovu KN 52 Street 26 in Kigali, the interior of which is adorned by works by four skilled women.

First off the canvas is Louise Kanyange, 20, who exercises great skill through her realism art pieces. One of her pieces, “Destiny,” for example, is a portrait of a jolly young woman, which is rendered using acrylic paints on canvas.

Kanyange’s use of the brush around the canvas screams mastery of mood and tone. You have to see it to appreaciate it best.

Then there is Pearl Karungi’s unique craft. She is an old hand in the industry even if she prefers to stay in the shadows, busying herself with her craft. “Engobyi,” for that is the title of her work, is a 29.13cm by 21.13cm art piece that stands out for its make.

Her mix media piece is made first with sketches on paper, then with pieces of cloths patched with glue, she gives the image life. On it, a mother is attending to her toddler. Unlike before, where she has exhibited mostly paintings on canvas art, Karungi greatly proves her mettle here.

Coming after Louise and Pearl is Bora Sylvie with her abstract in which she freely explores yet expertly crafts from a fertile imagination. In her 90cm by 70 cm acrylics on canvas piece entitled Beast, she creates a formless blue-eyed believably fierce figure.

Hortance Kamikazi is the fourth to the exhibition – but could as well be the first - with her diverse skill. Lovers of art will remember her 2015 solo exhibition dubbed “My Renaissance” that announced her arrival as a diverse creative.

In the currect outing, the Ecole d’Art de Nyundo graduate’s semi-abstract craft lures the eye too. Her 50cm by 50cm painting on canvas entitled “Laughter” depicts three figures of joyful men.

Using black paint, she emerges with the images, while slightly treating her background with yellow, black and red, which are all adjacent to each figure- reflective of the difference in personalities.

Advocacy is a theme dominant among Greta Ingabire’s works. The works exhibited here share similarity with those she showcased at “Spoken Art,” her debut solo exhibition held in July.

Using thick acrylic paints, she portrays freedom, women emancipation and expression.
“I am an Artist, and I felt how female artists, from around the world are underrepresented. So such a space is what will move towards filling that huge gap,” explains Feline Ntabangana, 49, the organiser of this exhibition.

To Ntabangana this is just a start of great things to come; it’s the first broad stroke on a canvas on which female artists will be painted.