Local artist Innocent Nkurunziza has released new art pieces whose dominant theme is mainly dot-and-line signatures with long spiral patterns and colours.

His new art works are being exhibited at Inema Arts Centre in Kacyiru. His main piece Woven Life Tapestry is made up of spiral patterns, which he says depict the circular flow of life.

The blend of colours are distinct yet interconnected, they demonstrate how events in life are woven together and pulled apart. Nkurunziza said that he always works from the centre, so that when you move further away the spirals expand and move closer, as they pull you in.

A variety of large-format spirals, in different colours, are featured in most paintings in the gallery space. Of particular interest is Unity a piece showing a gorilla in the middle, with the long spirals meeting at the centre.

The painting according to Nkurunziza shows the way the animal unites people. The gorilla possesses a Rwandan attachment because it’s a source of income and attracts people to the country.

Unity through music is the largest artwork in the exhibition. The 48-panel piece shows a variety of African traditional and modern musical instruments like the djembe, drums, trumpet, horn, harp. Some of the pieces also feature human faces. Nkurunziza uses acrylic paint and dotted lines to give the images life.

The artist uses the same style to paint Walking Across the world, which shows a large elephant holding a log, but covering the continent. He used a blend of backcloth and acrylic paint.

The self-taught visual artist has participated in various local, international, solo and group exhibitions in Wilmington, New York, Portland, Boston, Charlottesville, Virginia, Scotland, Canada, Germany, Denmark, and Holland. He said his art works have evolved and improved through experience.

“I appreciate all those who showed up in support of this event. I look forward to coming up with more unique pieces,” said the artist.

His pieces cost between $1,900 to $9,000 (about Rwf1.3 million to Rwf6.3 million).