Art as a tool in HIV awareness drive

Artists at work on the mural to create awareness on HIV/AIDs. Photo/ANDREW ISRAEL KAZIBWE 

By Andrew Israel Kazibwe Special Correspondent

As I walked towards the Petit Stadium in Nyamirambo, attractive paintings at the entrance caught my eyes. When I got closer, I realised a group of visual artists were making final touches on a huge mural.

 

The mural is an initiative of Kurema, Kureba, Kwiga (to create, to see, to learn), a local non-profit organisation that is bringing together contemporary Rwandan artists and youths living with or affected by HIV/Aids to fight stigma.

The work aims to develop a better understanding of what “living positively” means in Rwanda, and to use visual arts as a tool to address stigma and education, through the sharing of stories, building of relationships and transformation of opinions and ideas in public spaces.

This project, unlike other awareness campaigns, the message is passed through attractive paintings.

With words and creatively designed art work in Kinyarwanda and English languages, the group intends to incorporate local communities in the fight against HIV/Aids.

Involvement of communities

The giant art piece is not entirely the work of artists, but communities are also involved during the exercise. Children also take part in message writing under the guidance of the artists to jointly campaign against the spread of the deadly disease.

“We are trying to use visual arts to promote awareness and dialogue since they have not been used. Unlike other arts, we wanted this to be in a public place so as to easily engage the community,” said Judith Kaine, the project co-ordinator.

The project, which is an initiative of Kaine and Ivuka Art centre, was started in December last year, and with the support of the Netherlands embassy and the co-operation of Rwanda Biomedical Centre, which has designed the messages; the murals have been created in different parts of the country including; Rusizi, Kayonza, Butare, Remera, Kanombe, Musanze and in Nyamirambo.

Improve skills

Izabiriza Moses, an artist, said he has improved his art skills through this exercise.

“I’m glad that his form of art has attracted more people than I had expected, who have joined us in sharing of experiences,” said Kayiranga Shadrack, one of the artists.
However, the project has not received full support from the communities because some of them do not understand the objectives.

Difficulties

The project is also finding it difficult in identifying the right spaces and permits for the Miro piece.

In addition, the exercise requires professional artists to be deployed and resources as well.