Jane Bizimana
Jane Bizimana is a visual artist with a multimedia and community based practice. Born in Rwanda, she relocated to the North East in 2002 and studied at the Northern School of Art.
Jane's residency at D6 took place during 2022.
Through her practice, Jane draws upon her personal experiences as an African living in Britain to explore the nuances and complexities of cultural heritage and identity. Jane aims to communicate, educate and provoke conversations about the similarities and differences that Africa and western cultures share, and celebrate the intrinsic richness of diversity.
On a return visit to Africa in December 2016, I noticed that changes in my clothing style, values, and even skin tone instantly exposed me as a ‘visitor’, and in turn, (I) was now viewing African traditions, decor and cultural environment from an outsider perspective. This strong sense of existing ‘in-between’ cultures has informed my work and I became fascinated by the stark differences in the way that colour is used, described and maybe even perceived differently in both cultures and languages.
Jane has exhibited at ARC Stockton, The Python Gallery (Middlesbrough) and Preston Park Museum and Grounds (Stockon-on-Tees). She also works internationally, collaborating with the performance art group Elephants Laugh, based in South Korea.
Jane’s community based practice in the North East has produced the development of new work with groups for Tees Valley for the City Games Stockton, Stockton International Riverside Festival and MELA Middlesbrough.
Jane's residency at D6 took place during 2022.
Through her practice, Jane draws upon her personal experiences as an African living in Britain to explore the nuances and complexities of cultural heritage and identity. Jane aims to communicate, educate and provoke conversations about the similarities and differences that Africa and western cultures share, and celebrate the intrinsic richness of diversity.
On a return visit to Africa in December 2016, I noticed that changes in my clothing style, values, and even skin tone instantly exposed me as a ‘visitor’, and in turn, (I) was now viewing African traditions, decor and cultural environment from an outsider perspective. This strong sense of existing ‘in-between’ cultures has informed my work and I became fascinated by the stark differences in the way that colour is used, described and maybe even perceived differently in both cultures and languages.
Jane has exhibited at ARC Stockton, The Python Gallery (Middlesbrough) and Preston Park Museum and Grounds (Stockon-on-Tees). She also works internationally, collaborating with the performance art group Elephants Laugh, based in South Korea.
Jane’s community based practice in the North East has produced the development of new work with groups for Tees Valley for the City Games Stockton, Stockton International Riverside Festival and MELA Middlesbrough.
In conversation with janeIn this video interview Jane discusses how the space at D6, those around her and the chance to explain her work to different people cemented ideas and gave a new sense of purpose.
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Residency interviewMid-way through her residency we asked Jane some questions about the direction her work is taking so far and the role of colour and language in her artistic practice.
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Images: Jane Bizimana at the D6 studio
Photo credit: Matt Denham