My Point, Your View: An exhibition by Artists’ Safe Haven guest Yves Kulondwa

Justice & Peace welcomes you to the exhibition ‘My Point, Your View’.

This exhibition highlighted the artist Yves ‘Kayene’ Kulondwa’s perspective on pressing societal and environmental issues through symbolism with a comedic touch. His exhibition was firstly displayed at Anna Vastgoed & Cultuur Centre in The Hague and was later transferred to the Atrium City Hall, in the municipality building of The Hague.

A personal note from Yves on his ‘My Point, Your View’ exhibition

‘I am a graduate of Economics, a journalist, and above all a cartoonist.

I come from Bukavu, a city in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, ranked the richest country in mineral resources in Africa and 7th in the world.

Paradoxically, it is also one of the countries with one of the poorest populations in the world, ranked 143rd out of 197 in terms of literacy.

Add to this a long colonial history, decades of dictatorship, several deadly armed conflicts and widespread corruption.  My passion for justice and equality naturally influenced my talent as an artist and led me to become a cartoonist. I use caricature because it often makes it possible to address sensitive, harsh or taboo subjects in our society with a touch of lightness.

Throughout my career, I have used my sense of observation, my imagination and my pencil to inform, denounce, and give my opinion.

Hence the remark that is often made to me: Why do your drawings usually have this melancholy satirical je ne sais quoi? Well, maybe it’s because the camp opposite is constantly trying to sell an overly watered-down image of the situation.”

Attendees had the opportunity to support Yves’ effort of developing a platform and training sessions for critical young creatives in the DRC with a donation. The captions of the displayed artworks  can be found below.

Booklet for the exhibition ‘My Point, Your View’ by Yves Kulondwa