Kakizi Jemima

Kakizi Jemima is a Rwandan multidisciplinary artist. Quotes It didn’t take me long to notice a lack of visibility for women in visual arts in Rwanda and I started advocating for them with the aim to raise their visibility and create a more inclusive art environment When you are few Women, with no visibility it can be discouraging I have learned a lot and found myself wondering why women artists are not being featured in exhibition and I decided to start curating exhibition I am driven by my passion, and I try to look for other opportunities too as an artist to pay my bills and believe with time, money will follow It’s incredible what one can achieve with a support of others I learn a lot from the internet but I also make sure that the inspiration I get is aligned with things I believe in as a person We need our people to understand what we do. We have a part to play but they should also make effort to understanding it’s value because art is part of their everyday life IN CONVERSATION WITH KAKIZI JEMIMA 31 January 2024 The most rewarding part has been witnessing art as a tool for connection and reflection. Instead of waiting for someone to create opportunities, I decided to build them myself That’s how I found my way into curation—through necessity and a deep need to see women’s stories represented I was always creating, even before I had the language for it that ability to create something out of almost nothing still shapes the way I work today I wanted to build something that carried that spirit: a space where women artists have agency and influence I see exhibitions as a form of collective storytelling Art has a way of saying what words alone cannot. I’m interested in how we can use it to break silence. What does mental health mean in an African context? Art should move you—whether that’s discomfort, recognition, or a sense of connection Healing isn’t just about receiving; it’s about giving, too. Representation is at the core of what I do We need systems that nurture rather than exploit creativity it’s the small wins—seeing women artists finally exhibit their work, and witnessing difficult conversations unfold through art—that remind me why I do this Art is connection. It’s the thread between people. It’s history, protest, memory, and possibility Every exhibition, every story, and every act of creation is a way of saying: that we’re here, and our realities matter I hope my work continues to push boundaries, hold space, and ensure that these stories resonate far beyond the gallery walls. Kakizi Jemima on Curating and Reclaiming Space for Women in Art 6 April 2025 I don’t mind if others call themselves curators if they feel it matches the work they are doing. At the end of the day, what matters is what you do with your role, the message, the impact, and the quality of your work. Rwanda has developed significantly, yet there are certain things women have done that were not celebrated Telling stories that can be triggering takes courage, and it requires us to be considerate. Everyone’s journey is different, and we all approach life differently despite what we are told. Translating trauma into a narrative is a delicate process. It involves finding a balance between expressing personal pain and making it accessible to others Healing from a violent past involves navigating a complex landscape of memories and emotions Art offers a means to start important conversations and facilitate healing, providing a space to address and work through trauma I hope visitors will take away a profound understanding of what it feels like to be a Rwandan woman 30 years after the genocide against the Tutsi My advice is to recognize the abundance of talented women artists and make a concerted effort to include them in art projects and initiatives Q&A: Kakizi Jemima, curator – Fierce Femmes: Rwandan Women Contemporary Artists 26 June 2024 Category:Living people