MITOCHONDRIA GALLERY
Stride
Opening:
Friday, March 18, 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Public Viewing : March 18 -March 23th. (1:00 pm to 6:00pm)
Address: 2101 Winter Street, Houston, TX 77007.
Private viewing : March 24 – April 1 . Appointment Only.
“STRIDE,” is the debut solo exhibition by Rwandan, impasto artist, Izere Antoine (b.1996, DRC). In this series, Antoine paints visual representations of the significant strides that women have made in our society. For centuries, women have played a pivotal role in ensuring the advancement and stability of our communities. Antoine captures this concept in a sequence of images that are contemporary while simultaneously rooted in African history and culture.
STRIDE is a creative progression for Antoine, infused with various artistic techniques that showcase his unique artistry. This series of works blends genres of landscape, abstraction, figuration, and portraiture. Antoine makes use of his signature impasto technique while concurrently employing intricate brushwork. The images are rich and vibrate with an intensity that captivates the viewers. In this body of work, Antoine tells stories using layers of paint to create textural dimensions that convey physical as well as theoretical depth.
Exhibited Works
Artist Statement
With my art, I visually express my ideas and experiences. Most of my work is inspired by Black women and STRIDE is an extension of this focus. Despite the many obstacles and challenges faced, women have made great strides over the years. Building layer upon layer of paint with my palette knife, I seek to capture the essence of the various subjects, transporting the viewer to a different place and time. I want to take the viewer on a journey, drawing them inward to experience the emotions in the stories that are told. – Izere Antoine
About Izere Antoine
Izere Antoine de Padoue, is a Rwandan based impasto painter b. 1996 Rushoga/ DRC. Antoine graduated with a degree in Sculpture and Ceramics from Nyundo School of Art. From a young age Izere loved art. He is passionate about exploring many ways in which art is part of our life. His art depicts situations of social life, emotions, and feelings. He has participated in numerous trainings in animation and illustration. He has participated in art exhibitions primarily in Rwanda, East Africa, and the United States. “Creating is an amazing process. Most of the time I enjoy trying new things. I really like the heavy strokes of the impressionists, the flow of their textured, torn, foundry colors, and different grayscales as well as their engagement in open compositions and light changing . This gave birth to my impasto style. I see life as a passion of sticking to what we like and the endless battles of everything else that we abhor. Art is one of the open ways of talking to people in a graphic/visual way of imaginations. The emotions, feelings and all the untold stories behind these makes people feel connected.” – Izere Antoine
Select Exhibitions
- 2021. PEOPLE AND COLORS with Sabyinyo silverback, Kinigi, Rwanda
- 2021. VISAGES Kigali,Rwanda
- 2021. CONCORDANT CONVEYANCES, Mitochondria Gallery. Houston. Texas. USA
- 2021. Permanent display at INTARE Arena, Kigali, Rwanda
- 2020. NOVEMBRE NUMERIQUE: animation exhibition organized by institute Français and Maison Beaulier, Kigali, Rwanda
- 2020. A SNIPET OF RWANDAN ARTIST JOURNEY by Isi Arts Community
- 2020. AFROTOPISME: A Digital art exhibition organized by GIZ and Maison Beaulier
- 2019. Autour de Moi art exhibition at BPR building (Maison Beaulier)
- 2019. Mumasangano art exhibition, at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village with Nelson Niyakire and Natacha Muzira,Kigali, Rwanda