Rwandan landscape artist making waves in South Africa

Eric Karangwa is a striving painter who lives in South Africa’s Cape Town.

Eric is currently working on his latest masterpiece. He swiftly swooshes his brush as he portrays yet another intricate landscape depicting the beauty of Cape Town.

Born in Rwanda, the 33-year-old fled the East African nation during the genocide in 1994. He says his love for art began way back home.

“In my childhood back home, I loved sketching … I loved sketching from the primary school. I remember I used to go home after school, I come late and my parents beat me asking me where I have been,” he said.

“I left the school and then I would go to the guy who was one of my neighbours; he was a student at the French school back home that teach art. So I used to enjoy the sketching with him, he guides me how to handle the pencil, and also some tips how to get the work done,” he added.

As Eric nurtures his budding career as a landscape artist, he spends his day working as a car guard at a local shopping mall in order to make ends meet.

“My dream is always to produce the work that is going to attract everyone but I am dreaming to have my own business one day which is based on my talent that I have,” Eric said.

The Rwandan-born artist has his paintings exhibited at several galleries across Cape Town. He however hopes to tap into the international market soon.

“He has a very soft style to the work he does and he likes to create an atmosphere around his work that I think it is largely reflected from his personality and I think it’s a very important thing; once that he has that type of personality but two that he’s very driven to be successful,” said fellow artist Andrew Cooper.

Eric is fast gaining recognition as one of Cape Town’s most formative landscape artists. His paintings sell for 70 US dollars.

Photo credit: @lead_sa