Niyonsenga KEVINE

My name is NIYONSENGA Kevine, I’m a 20-year-old visual artist from KIGALI -RWANDA. I tell stories through dreamlike paintings inspired by my experiences, the people around me, animals, and the quiet beauty I find in everyday life. My goal is to create art that touches people’s emotions and encourages them to slow down and see the world a little differently.

I fell in love with art at a young age. In primary and secondary school, I was the one classmates and teachers came to whenever they needed something drawn. Even though I didn’t have access to art supplies or formal training back then, I knew that creating made me feel seen and alive. Art helped me stay strong through difficult moments, including the loss of my siblings and ongoing financial struggles. These challenges became part of my voice as an artist—one that’s honest, emotional, and rooted in resilience.

I studied Sculpture and Ceramics at École d’Art de Nyundo, a well-known art school in Rwanda, where I had the chance to grow both technically and creatively. Being in that environment helped me find new ways to express myself, but I’ve always stayed connected to my roots. I’m also a bookworm—reading has always been my escape and one of my biggest sources of inspiration. Books have taught me how to tell stories, imagine new worlds, and feel deeply, which all feeds into the art I create.

One quote that guides me is: “Art isn’t just seen—it’s felt. It heals, awakens, and reminds us that beauty still lives.” That’s how I experience art, and it’s what I hope others feel when they see my work.

Beyond creating, I’m also the founder of the upcoming Ink & Soul Hub, a community art space I’m building in Kayonza. My dream is to create a home for young creatives to learn, grow, and feel empowered through art. Some classes will be free, others at low cost, but the space will be open, welcoming, and full of possibilities. I’ve met so many young people back home who want to learn art but don’t have access. I want to change that.

Ink & Soul Hub is also about challenging how people see artists—especially in rural areas. I want to show that art is not just a hobby or a waste of time. It’s a powerful tool for healing, communication, and community change. I believe artists shouldn’t have to leave their hometowns to succeed. We can start with what we have, where we are.

Through my work and this initiative, I hope to inspire others to dream boldly and create fearlessly—because art, to me, is where the soul finds its voice.