Willy Karekezi

Willy Karekezi is a self-taught artist, born in 1993. He lives and works in Kigali. From a young age Willy was attracted to art: making comic books in primary school. In 2010, aged 17, he became a professional artist at Uburanga Art Studio, where he developed his painting style . He has exhibited in Rwanda, Austria, Germany and the US. He has performed live painting at TedX 2016 and other event in Kigali. In his role as an American Refugee Council (ARC) "Change Maker" he has created public art on topics such as "Peace & Illustration" and "Sexual Gender-Based Violence" at refugee camps in Rwanda and Uganda. He is currently doing a residency at 32 Degrees East art gallery in Kampala, Uganda in collaboration with a London School of Economics researcher entitled "Politics of Return".
"In my mission to create myself I try to develop in my mind an image of my truth according to an idea, which I believe to be universal. I'm inspired by everyday life which connects me to the wider world".

2017:
-"African Queens" in Kigali - Solo exhibition
-"Rwanda Reconciliation" (Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, Atlanta, USA)
-"Ruanda" (Perg, Austria)

2016:
-“The Empty World” in Kigali – Collaboration with Poupoute
-"Rhineland-Palatinate Rwanda" – Group Exhibition in Germany

2015:
-“The Age of Love” in Kigali – Solo Exhibition
-“My Democracy” – Group Exhibition at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali
-“Renew – Remembering – Unity” – Group Exhibition at the Serena Hotel Kigali

2014:
-“The Sound of Art” in Kigali – Solo Exhibition
-“Imago mundi” – Group Exhibition in Venice