Despite a successful career at Rwanda Radio’s Huye branch (RC Huye), Mediatrice felt a persistent call toward the world of art—a dream deeply rooted in her childhood. Meet Uwamahoro Teta Mediatrice, a former radio journalist who exchanged the microphone for a paintbrush to pursue her lifelong passion for visual arts.
As a young girl, she was captivated by illustrated books, often spending hours copying the drawings she admired. Encouraged by her natural talent and the support of those around her, she entered drawing competitions in high school on a whim and emerged with top prizes, surprising even herself.
Encouraged by her talent, validated by those around her, she entered drawing competitions in high school, almost by chance, and ended up winning top prizes. This success surprised her, as she hadn’t believed her work was that good.
Like many young women, Mediatrice once aspired to secure an impressive job with a good income. Working at the national radio station, she seemed to have achieved that dream. Yet, her heart yearned for something more. Night after night, after her broadcasting duties were done, she found herself losing sleep to an irresistible urge to create art.
She would finish her broadcast work only to stay up drawing at night, often losing sleep to this irresistible passion.
Despite the benefits of her journalism career and the concerns of her family and friends, Mediatrice made the bold decision to leave her job and dedicate herself fully to professional drawing.
What sets Mediatrice apart in the art world is her unique style. She creates pieces that appear to be “peeled away” or detachable, giving them a captivating 3D effect.
“In my work, the most popular pieces are those created in an unusual way,” she explains. “When you look at them, it feels like you could take something off them, and people enjoy this about my art.”
In an in-depth interview with KURA, she shared that passion, determination, consistency, and confidence are key ingredients for anyone aspiring to become a visual artist. Her journey wasn’t without challenges. Finding buyers for her work took time; societal perceptions questioned her decision to leave a stable job for painting; materials were expensive; and her family initially struggled to understand her choices. But with perseverance, she overcame these obstacles, proving that art can indeed sustain a person.
Mediatrice now offers advice to young women aiming to do exceptional work and harness their talents. “Talent is a powerful gift, and we should thank God for it. When used well, it can be very fruitful. I advise young women to cherish their talents, put effort into developing them, and turn them into opportunities because opportunities can be found wherever people gather.”
She encourages others to think outside the box. “For example, if you know how to draw, instead of applying to be a hotel manager because of your education, why not approach them with your artwork and ask if they need it?”
Uwamahoro Teta Mediatrice is a testament to the power of following one’s passion. She emphasizes that talent should be nurtured and fought for, as it can yield great results.
