Remy Ryumugabe, Rwandan filmmaker and visual artist based in Kigali, Rwanda

Remy Ryumugabe is a Rwandan filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist whose audiovisual and photographic work has been presented at leading international festivals, galleries, and museums - including Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, Uppsala International Short Film Festival, Oberhausen International Short Film Festival, Fribourg International Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Galerie Imane Farès, Museum Hilversum, Het Nieuwe Instituut, Indiba Arts Gallery, Goethe-Institut Kigali, and the Kigali Center for Photography, among others.

His works have received distinctions such as the Jury’s Special Mention at the 41st Uppsala International Short Film Festival, Best Experimental Film at the 15th Festival Internacional de Cine Africano de Argentina, Best Male Director in Short Documentary at the 8th Urusaro International Women Film Festival, and the Young African Filmmakers’ Award for Best Short Documentary at the 29th Afrika Filmfestival Leuven.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I am an introvert and a vegetarian who studied Pharmacy at university before choosing to pursue art, first through cinema, and later expanding into photography and other visual forms.

How did you first get into photography? Was there a specific moment, person, or inspiration that sparked your passion for capturing images?

Back in 2000, I watched American Beauty at a neighbourhood cinema. The plastic bag scene, where a character shares a simple video he filmed with his girlfriend, planted a seed that still guides me today.

Inspired, I began capturing small moments at home with a video camera—not as a career, but as a hobby, since I was then focused on science and studying biochemistry in high school.

Later, at university, I met filmmakers, photographers, and aspiring artists whose conversations showed me that art could be more than a pastime, it could be a way to express and share perspectives on life and the world. From there, I immersed myself in cinema, photography, and visual arts, which have since become my true path of expression.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche? How has your style evolved over time?

I specialise in fine art and documentary-inspired photography, often exploring everyday life, intimate moments, and the human body. I chose this niche because I am drawn to capturing the poetic essence of ordinary experiences and the subtleties of human life, moments that are often overlooked yet reveal profound stories.

Over time, my style has evolved from a literal, observational approach to one that balances realism with poetic abstraction.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography? How do you use your images to connect with others?

My photography is driven by an interest in "ordinary" people and the poetic beauty of everyday life. I am drawn to quiet gestures, fleeting moments, and human experiences often overlooked, capturing the depth, intimacy, and stories in those who might otherwise be considered ordinary.

Through my images, I aim to create a space where viewers can reflect, feel, and connect, inviting them to discover the extraordinary, the poetry within the everyday, interpret the work in their own way, and recognise the shared humanity that unites us all.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

For me, every moment I capture photographically and every film I create is an achievement. Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in two group exhibitions and hold my first solo exhibition, Unclothed Echoes.

This ongoing photography project challenges perceptions of the human body through ten photographs focusing on the area from the navel to the thighs, with the subjects’ hands concealing their intimate parts. By obscuring the sex, the work moves beyond immediate judgment to explore the deeper complexities of the human form, and a review of this first exhibition marked an important starting point for the project, one I am particularly proud of.

This project is intended to further explore these themes and subjects, expand into larger exhibitions, and ultimately become a book.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it? What did you learn from that experience?

I wouldn’t say there’s a single biggest challenge I’ve faced personally, but one difficulty many artists, including myself, share is convincing family and society that pursuing art as a career is a valid choice, rather than opting for safer professions like Pharmacy.

On top of that, working in a context with limited infrastructure, few or no galleries, museums, curators, or platforms to share and financially sustain artistic work, presents ongoing challenges.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

I would say that I would love to collaborate with filmmakers, poets, writers, museums, galleries, festivals, platforms, and brands worldwide, but especially in Africa, anyone who finds the idea of capturing the poetic essence of everyday life, and the pursuit of the extraordinary and poetry in the ordinary, compelling.

More specifically, I am eager to connect with African platforms, networks, artists, festivals, biennials, curators, museums, and galleries to expand my African reach and foster meaningful creative collaborations.

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

It’s a wonderful and much-needed platform for African artists. It has great potential to connect us, promote our work, and open doors to new opportunities. I’m truly excited to be featured on it and look forward to seeing what comes next.

How's photography and the art space in Rwanda: how has it evolved in recent years?

It is still developing, but growing quickly. Artists here have been working hard for years and have found recognition not only in Rwanda but also internationally. It’s a small community where everyone knows each other, and collaboration is at the heart of our work.

More artist-led initiatives are emerging, such as galleries, platforms, and upcoming curators, while government-led efforts to support artists are also beginning to take shape. All of this gives hope for a brighter future for the art scene.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

Be yourself and trust your vision. Pick up a camera, whether it’s a phone or a professional one, it doesn’t need to be expensive, and start capturing the moments that feel interesting and meaningful to you.