Based in Belgium, artist, architect, painter, and sketchbook author Sankara Mutoni explores themes of identity, nature, culture and resilience in his work. In this conversation, he delves into his roots in Rwanda and the discipline that drives his artistry.
Can you tell us a little about your childhood? What kind of environment did you grow up in, and how did it influence your artistic journey?
I was born in Rwanda in 1983, not far from the Congo, near Lake Kivu. I’m not sure if you know the region — it’s a border area with Congo, in the part that connects to the south of Rwanda. So, I was born there, but we didn’t stay for long. I think… I can’t even say how many years. Then, my parents moved to Kigali. So, I spent my childhood there until 1994, until the genocide war. I was 11 when we left Rwanda. That’s my childhood.
So, I would say I had a rather simple childhood. Simple in the sense that my parents had the means to provide us with what we needed. We didn’t lack anything. But it’s a childhood I often think back on and really loved. I was a very restless and active child. Yes, yes, you can still see it, I think, because I haven’t changed! Well, I’ve changed, but I’ve kept this need to always be doing something.
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