Bakunzi Jean Bosco Fine Artist Portfolio

Bakunzi Jean Bosco (1985) -- Fine Art

Artist Profile

Jean Bosco Barakunzi

Bakunzi Jean Bosco, as the artist prefers to be known, was born at CHK Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. He grew up in Kigali and attended two primary schools in the city. His father was Catholic and his mother Protestant, but he describes his father in a word as “modern”.

This atmosphere undoubtedly allowed Bosco to develop freely as a child and laid the seeds for him later to become a self-trained artist. He is also inspired by many artists.

When you first meet Bosco, he strikes you as an optimistic, carefree young man. However, his experiences in 1994, when many people were killed in Rwanda, have sharpened his sense of justice and honed his desire to help others through his art. The Kigali native says that while at the orphanage, he would use pen and pastels to make cartoons to express himself and his friends would follow his lead. Bosco believes that creating art can heal people “emotionally, physically, and mentally”.

Gisimba Memorial Center also gains from this young artist’s enthusiasm for children, where he teaches arts and crafts to young people under a project called “Imena Art for Kids”. And one imagines that he also continues to experience healing through his own art. He also works and volunteers at other Rwanda orphanages, painting murals sponsored by both private individuals as well as NGOs such as UNICEF. With this work, he is able to help children deal with the traumas they have faced in their lives while also developing their skills and creativity so that they can look to a better future.

He has established an Art Studio called "Uburanga Arts Studio" which takes its name from the Kinyarwanda word for“beauty”, and is a hotbed of professional, up and coming Rwandan artists.

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

2009 - The Feelings at Kigali International Airport, Kigali, Rwanda

My Dream at Heaven Restaurant, Kigali, Rwanda

2010 - Ubwiza(the beauty) at Sol e Luna, Kigali

Group Exhibitions

2009 - Saint Patrick’s Day Exhibition presented by the Irish Embassy of Uganda at Serena Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda

            Jazz Band for Peace: Celebrating Rwanda Commitment for Ending Violence Against Women and Children

            at Serena Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda.

            East Africa Biennale (EASTFAB) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2010 - Creative change: A Benefit Art Exhibition for Rwandan Street Children. Hosted by Hallway Gallery USA

             Rwanda goes East Africa at Goethe Institut

             Ivuka Arts Studio and Friends, United States Embassy, Kigali, Rwanda

             Uburanga Ars Studio Launching Party Exhibition, Kigali-Kimihurura