Rwandan genocide through Helen Wilson’s eyes

The saying ‘it is never too late to start’ applies well to Helen Wilson. In her late thirties, she picked up a paintbrush and started communicating with the world how she knew best – using brush strokes on a canvas. Helen Wilson is a black/dual heritage, working class, self-taught, artist whose passion lies in speaking for the voiceless. Her work unlike many artists addresses social and cultural injustices across the world.

It is this passion that led her to pick up a paint brush. Images of the Rwandan genocide broadcast on TV in 1994 compelled Helen to learn more about the situation so that she could educate her children whilst raising awareness of the tragedy that went untold.

An image of a child lying on a mass grave

With limited funding, Helen travelled to Rwanda in 2002 where she met survivors and visited massacre sites. On her return to the UK, she transferred her experiences on large-scale oil paintings which tell a powerful story of personal dignity, courage and survival. She also managed to maintain the beauty of Rwanda and its people with her vibrant colours.

We had a chance to marvel at the power behind her painting skills and her underlying profoundness by visiting her exhibition at the Butetown History & Art Centre at the Bay. Entitled Making Sense: A Rwandan Story, Helen is showing Cardiff the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath through her eyes.

The exhibition is running until the 16th January 2011 and is worth seeing if you have some time.