Lake Air and Oil Paint: A Conversation with IDDY HABYARIMANA

Habyarimana Iddy is a Rwandan artist specialising in portraiture and figurative abstraction. Initially aspiring to be an architect, he discovered his passion for fine art at age 15, leading him to study at École d’Art de Nyundo.

He began painting in 2016, focusing on the experiences of Black people, capturing individuality and shared humanity, using oil and acrylics.

Habyarimana believes art is a vital force that brings joy, freedom, and constant learning.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey — where you come from and what shaped your early years?

I was born in 1998 in Rusizi, a beautiful district in Rwanda’s Western Province. As a child, I dreamed of becoming an architect. But by the age of 15, I found myself increasingly drawn to art. My teachers and classmates noticed my talent for sketching images from books, and their encouragement inspired me to enrol at École d’Art de Nyundo — the place where my journey as an artist truly began.