AUGUST 2024 SPOTLIGHT

Jean Baptist

“I use my art to change the world, make people understand, and teach others to make our world better.” — Jean Baptist Mugunga 

Jean Baptist Mugunga is a visual artist from Rwanda working with watercolor painting, pencil, and pen. The 22-year-old has had a creative inclination since he was young: “I started by being a craftsman, and my friends and I used to make different things that we used to play with because our parents had no money to buy us toys, so we also looked for solutions.”

When he was in secondary school Mugunga heard about the Ivuka Art Center that taught young people how to draw. “The center had a program called Intango Art Kids. At the time it was difficult to find equipment, our parents didn’t have money so [the center] had to buy it for us. The owner had a heart of love and he did it so that we could achieve our dreams.” 

Mugunga attended the program every Saturday and, over the years, continued to sharpen his knowledge.

For Mugunga, art is a way to make the world a better place. He explained: “I use my art to change the world, make people understand, and teach others to make our world better.” 

However, while art is a powerful tool for change, being creative is not without its challenges and Mugunga said it is often costly to buy materials, in addition to it being difficult to source the materials in the first place. He also explained that “there is a large number of people who are an obstacle because they do not support artists in what they do and they do not know or understand the value of what we do.” 

When it comes to civic space, Rwanda’s is repressed, but fortunately, he said: “I am able to work freely and without problems because (in Rwanda) you are safe and secure in what you do, because Rwanda follows the law and you can give opinions.” The multi-talented artist adds that the Rwandan government can better support artists like him by “raising awareness about and increasing education related to art. It can also help artists get cheaper tools and continue to promote the country as it does because that's when we see many tourists and we can tell tourists about art.”

For his Emerging Creatives Program piece, Mugunga focused on education.

“In Rwanda, Africa, and the whole world there is a problem of children being denied the right to study and finding themselves employed in low-paying jobs. They (also) miss the opportunity to go to school because there is a large number of people who do not know that reading and writing are important,” explained the artist. 

Mugunga’s piece, titled: ‘The first basic education’, is watercolor on paper and mixed media. “Children need to go to school to learn writing and reading, and parents must take time to talk to their children and teach them,” he said. “Education is the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom. Education is the movement from darkness to light. Never stop learning because life never stops teaching, and this artwork shows that education is important.”

Follow Jean Baptist Mugunga on Instagram 

JULY 2024 SPOTLIGHT

Areesha Khuwaja (Pakkhee)

“My practice allows me to engage in a conversation with both my ancestors and future generations.” — Pakkhee

Areesha Khuwaja, who goes by the name Pakkhee (which means bird in Sindhi), and describes herself as a passionate storyteller who uses art to weave cultural narratives and address social and environmental issues, is an artist and cultural practitioner from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. 

For the Emerging Creatives Program Pakkhee created multimedia illustrations which anthropomorphize the Karoonjhar mountains in Nagar Parker, Sindh. “Each stone in this multimedia artwork appears naturally carved to resemble a face,” she explained. “These faces, staring back as they are torn away, symbolize the innocence and beauty of the region being destroyed by granite mining. For the locals, this destruction feels like their mother’s milk is being taken away as they watch helplessly.” 

She continued: “This piece calls for the halting of granite mining in these mountains, highlighting the environmental and cultural loss caused by such activities.” In addition to environmental challenges, such as being one of the top 10 most climate vulnerable countries in the world, as evidenced by the devastating flooding of 2022, Pakistan has a repressed civic space.

Pakkhee explained that the country’s environment can be challenging for activists, adding that “speaking out about religious and ethnic inequalities and gender issues can be risky, and there is often pushback from the establishment and religious extremists who benefit from a discord in the society. However, I have found ways to navigate these challenges by using symbolism and metaphors in my art to convey messages through my body of work subtly, yet powerfully.” 

The artist went on: “While there are limitations on free expression, I strive to use my platform to its fullest potential, pushing boundaries and advocating for change within the constraints I face. I often take inspiration from Sindh’s spirit of creative resistance to keep me motivated.”

“Witnessing the socio-political challenges in my region,” she continued, “such as the erasure of certain religions, the stereotyping of certain cultures, and the internal colonization in Pakistan that undermines and commodifies indigenous cultures, I felt a strong need to use my creativity to interpret and visualize stories from my culture.” 

JUNE 2024 SPOTLIGHT

Aynura Erejepbaeva

“We can use our creative work to speak up about things that matter to us.”

Aynura Erejepbaeva uses traditional Karakalpak embroidery to communicate the messages that she wants the world to see related to causes she deeply cares about. The young Uzbekistanian is an environmental, cultural, and gender equality activist from a small village in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region within the country. 

She spent several years assisting her community as a spokesperson against the effects of climate change and its contributions to the Aral Sea crisis. The 18-year-old is also a strong proponent for women's education and empowerment, and serves as a voice for the protection of Karakalpak culture in the face of globalisation. 

Civic space in Uzbekistan is considered closed. In 2022, protests against the government’s proposed plans to remove Karakalpak’s autonomous status turned violent. 

“As a post-Soviet country like Uzbekistan, it’s challenging to talk about the issues women face, as I’m often referred to as ‘too liberal, too feminist, too western’. That’s not a true reflection of me,” said the young artist. 

For her spotlight as a Global Citizen emerging creative, Erejepbaeva created an embroidery piece which she said "represents the resilience of a Karakalpak woman — a mother, sister, and daughter, who are diligent and hard-working.” 

She added: “The patterns surrounding the picture not only symbolise luck and growth but also reflect the fragile beauty of the Aral Sea, mirroring the delicate balance of hope and hardship faced by the Karakalpak community.”

NOVEMBER 2023 SPOTLIGHT

Fred Mfuranzima

“I won't stay in my lane, I use my art to fight against hate and rage, for a brighter future, I'll continue to engage.”- Fred Mfuranzima

Fred Mfuranzima is a Rwandan writer, poet, artist, and activist working in the Great Lakes region. Born in Huye District in Southern Rwanda, Mfuranzima came from a family that survived the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, where an estimated 800,000 to 1 million people were killed in the space of 100 days. 

“In my early years, we relocated to the slums of Kigali, where I experienced the harsh realities of poverty, domestic conflicts, and a broken family,” he recalls. “Our parents, despite feeling hopeless, did their best to raise and educate us with the support of the government and various organisations. Growing up as part of the post-genocide generation, I became the hope for my family and community. Witnessing the challenges faced by impoverished and traumatised families, I was inspired to utilise my talents to serve my community.” 

This led to him writing several books, doing poetry-music performances, conducting exhibitions, organising dialogues, and becoming a peace and mental health activist — eventually founding initiatives like Imfura Heritage. 

“Witnessing the devastating consequences of genocide, conflicts, social injustice, I realised the power of creativity to spark change. Through my art, I aim to challenge societal norms, raise awareness, and inspire dialogue for a more healing, reconciliation, unity, inclusive and equitable community,” he said. 

In 2017, after graduating from high school, Mfuranzima founded Imfura Heritage, a multidisciplinary art centre that serves “as a safe space for peace and healing, with the aim of using arts, literature, and intellectual learnings to inspire peace, mental health development, and human rights activism among youth artists..” 

Mfuranzima said that Imfura Heritage has made a significant impact on the community of Rwanda and the Great Lakes region by fostering dialogue, promoting healing, and empowering the youth to become agents of positive transformation through culture. 

Having witnessed the consequences of violence and division, Mfuranzima said he is driven to promote peace and inclusivity because, “the impact of a lack of peace is devastating... I won't stay in my lane, I use my art to fight against hate and rage, for a brighter future, I'll continue to engage.” 
However, using art for building peaceful and inclusive societies comes with challenges, particularly in the Rwandan context where civic space is considered repressed by the CIVICUS Monitor. 

“One major hurdle is navigating sensitive topics and cultural nuances while ensuring the message reaches diverse audiences. Additionally, there may be resistance from those who fear change or challenging the status quo,” he told us. “As an artist, writer, and activist, I strive to express myself freely, but there can be limitations imposed by societal norms, censorship, or political pressures.” 

However, despite these challenges, Mfuranzima is not deterred and added: “I persist in finding creative ways to advocate for peace and inclusivity, adapting my approach as needed to ensure my work reaches its intended audience.” 

Mfuranzima said funding for creative projects like his is also a challenge, noting that  despite. 

Mfuranzima said passion, support, resources, freedom, and self-care fuel the work of activists and creatives like him. “These elements provide motivation, collaboration, empowerment, expression, and well-being, enabling us to continue making a difference,” he said. 

OCTOBER 2023 SPOTLIGHT

Simphiwe Molefe

“...Everyone's story matters, regardless of who you are and where you are from…” 
—Simphiwe Molefe 

Born in rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, Simphiwe Molefe is a 33 year old photographer who grew up in the East Johannesburg township of Palmridge, Katlehong. 

“Due to a lack of appropriate play-things and games, growing up in a township, especially one with a disadvantage, requires one to be creative. This factor greatly influenced my development into the creative person I am today,” he told Global Citizen. 

It was during his work as an events photographer that someone informed him about an organization called Of Soul and Joy that offers free documentary photography classes in Thokoza, a township near Johannesburg. 

“It was through this organization that I first learned about the art of expressing a narrative with photographs. That's when I realized how essential it is to share your story and that everyone's story matters, regardless of who you are and where you are from. ”

This month we’re spotlighting Molefe’s series titled Impilo Iyaqhubeka which means “life goes on” in isiZulu. The collection looks at the impact of South Africa’s ongoing power crisis which is characterized by regular and extended power outages known as load shedding. 

“Impilo Iyaqhubeka began as a visual narrative project I was working on for a school assignment as I'm in my final year at The Market Photo Workshop, and the advice we typically receive when choosing narratives is to choose something we have access to,” explained Molefe 

He continued: “I realized that most of the time during load shedding is when I get a break to pause for a moment in my surroundings, so I thought it would be great to document those moments. My series focuses on the consequences that a power outage has on our homes and on the dark streets, where individuals must use their phone flashlight to navigate, and those who sell on the street must utilize every available source of light to run their stalls because closing them is not an option.” 

“With this series and the power of photography I believe I can raise awareness about the challenges faced by my community during power outages, shedding light on social issues like access to basic services, safety concerns, and impact on daily life,” said Molefe. 

Photography during outages presented numerous challenges for Molefe himself, such as challenging his technical skill of using limited lighting which sometimes impacted sharpness in his images. There were also safety issues for him too because South Africa has high levels of  violent crime and Molefe shares that “photographing in my neighborhood doesn’t guarantee safety to myself and my equipment as anything like thieves can take advantage as it’s in the dark.” 

Other issues Molefe encountered included gaining trust from community members to collaborate with him in the creation of these images 

“They don’t know where these images are going to go so as a photographer I have to try by all means to represent my community in a good manner, and approach this project with respect and empathy to avoid sensationalism and stereotypes,” he explained. 

Despite South Africa having one of the best constitutions in the world, the country’s civic space remains an issue. The CIVICUS Monitor downgraded the country’s civic space rating from “narrowed,” to “obstructed” — the third worst rating a country can have. Meaning that the ability to speak up and stand up against issues that affect human rights in the country, is limited. That’s why Molefe believes creatives like himself have a role to play in highlighting the effects of the failure of basic services such as the power crisis in South Africa. 

“Load shedding has become a norm in our community and you’ll hear people celebrating and screaming when the power comes back — and that is not ok,” he said. “It shouldn’t be normalized, so we as creatives and activists should keep on challenging these issues with the aim of creating awareness that can activate change.” 

He added: “The power of art is that it can initiate and facilitate meaningful dialogues, bringing together people with different views to engage in constructive conversations about important issues so let’s keep on documenting these moments.”