Congolese artist paints politicians’ portraits in plastic By Reuters

By Crispin Kyala

BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – Close to the banks of Lake Kivu in japanese Democratic Republic of Congo, artist Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami wades knee-deep by a mountain of plastic bottles, scooping as many as he can carry into a big sack.

There isn’t a public waste assortment within the space, and the trash that leads to Lake Kivu typically causes breakdowns within the hydroelectric plant, resulting in energy cuts.

However Cikuru Cirimwami’s objective is larger than serving to clear up. Later he’ll soften down the plastic to make a thick liquid which he makes use of to color portraits of politicians – meant to be a condemnation of what he says is their inaction in defending the surroundings.

“There have been many conferences in DR Congo, many conferences … however now we have not taken measures to guard nature. As a Congolese artist, I can ship a message,” stated the 26-year-old.

Final month, the artist’s portraits of political figures, from independence chief Patrice Lumumba to present president Felix Tshisekedi, have been displayed at a cultural centre in his hometown, Bukavu.

Congo, like different African nations, has insisted on its proper to develop its economic system by exploiting its huge pure sources. It has come underneath criticism for placing oil blocks up for public sale on this planet’s second-biggest rainforest.

It has pledged to minimise the possibly devastating affect through the use of fashionable drilling strategies and tight regulation. It additionally hosted talks earlier than November’s COP 27 local weather summit to name on wealthy nations to honour a pledge to growing nations to make sure truthful finance to battle local weather change.