In the days when you quench the bliss of good visual art, you might find yourself in front of Muhima’s fuel station (Merezi), where Huza Art Rwanda resides.
There you’ll bask in the creative paintings of one, Byiringio Bahizi Max and many other young artists’ onslaught of figurative and abstract works lay beautifully and colorfully in their glamor.
Max, the founder of the art gallery, is a brilliant contender of inspiration and creativity with ten years of experience working in the creative industries. Max’s love for drawing started when he was a kid and never faded.
He pursued his passion by attending ECOLE D’ART DE NYUNDO, where he graduated in 2014. The magic of art fascinated him, and he explored every bit of it during his time there. “Visual art, like paintings and drawings, is like a workout for our brains.
When we look at art, our brains think and feel in new ways. It’s like a puzzle for our minds, making them stronger and more creative. Just like how exercising makes our bodies healthier, looking at art exercises our brains and helps them grow.” he said, alluding to the deep intonations that art portrays.
Max’s journey took a new turn in 2016 when he started digital illustration. Switching from traditional to digital art, not only improved the quality of his work, but also made it accessible to a global audience.
However, it wasn’t easy. Buying digital tools was expensive, and there weren’t many resources to learn from. But Max seldom gave up. In 2018, Max and his friend took a bold step and founded Huza Art Rwanda.
He described it as: “More than just a place; it’s a haven where young artists can sharpen their skills. At Huza Art Rwanda, budding talents get to learn professional art techniques, showcase their work, and enjoy fun painting sessions.”
Originating from his post-graduation struggles, the idea for HUZA ART RWANDA came as Max and his friends found it hard to find places to exhibit their art. They felt left out in an art world dominated by self-taught artists.
This struggle inspired them to create a welcoming space for artists starting out or in need to showcase their talents.
However, the most notable and pivotal retrospective from Huza Art plies far from simply showcasing artworks. To stay ahead of the curve and the evident multiplying art galleries in Rwanda, Max conjured up a mission to offer art lessons.
Whether it’s through what he titled “Pro Art Short Courses”, or “Creative Saturdays”, the adept artist deepens his skills while coaching amateurs in the craft. “Teaching art has been a rewarding experience for me,” he said, describing the act of teaching his knowledge to others to be a learning moment too.
When asked about the business, he said, “Running a business like Huza Art Rwanda isn’t easy, but I know the importance of teamwork. I work closely with my co-founder and staff to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Social media has been a game-changer for us. It helps us connect with people worldwide and share our passion for art.”
In addition, Max emphasizes that his pricing choices and marketing strategies are based on passion, understanding his community, and knowing his market. Before our conversation ended, Max wanted deeply to share a piece of art in his collection.
We all have an intuitive understanding of life; we recognize it when we see it, but it is devilishly hard to say what it is.
Some people need to be lightened up by our daily difficulties. This painting describes a person who is isolated because of low visibility and is not safe in certain surroundings, especially after dark, when our eyesight eludes its role anymore.
Light can reduce our fatigue and improve our work productivity. And to top it all, it can also positively affect our mood, well-being, and recovery from a lost heart.
Being an eager student himself, exploring new styles and software whenever he can, Max’s advice to young artists is simple: practice a lot, stay updated, and believe in yourself. Do not be afraid to try new things.
“Visual art is a way of life. I invite people to know more about it because it is one of the ways of expressing yourself, not only for artists but also for people who have a hard time doing art. Coloring changes your mind. Try it, and you will thank me.”
