Every time Bukuru Nyandwi enters Milk River Arts, he brings along his “can do” mentality.
“Painting is like my gift,” Nyandwi said. “[A] gift I [got] when I was a little boy. Nobody gives me that gift, but God. And that’s why I am [an] artist.”
Nyandwi — who paints by holding a brush between his lips because he has no arms or legs — is preparing for his first solo exhibition opening Friday at the Quirk Gallery in downtown Richmond. His colorful work depicts life, religion and people helping each other.
Nyandwi was one of the first artists to join Milk River Arts — a creative studio within Manchester’s Studio Two Three that supports a community of neurodiverse artists — when it opened in the summer of 2015.
Milk River Arts founder Sally Kemp was inspired to start the program after noticing a lack of creative spaces for people with disabilities as they transitioned into adulthood.
“I tell people, Milk River Arts is really a joyful workspace,” Kemp said. “It's a professional workspace for adult artists with disabilities. And through that work, we have grown a pretty tight, cool community that represents neurodivergent artists.”
The studio is home to eight artists, including Nyandwi, who showcase their talent and creative ability.
“When it's your first time [and] you see me painting, you [are] surprised,” Nyandwi said. “When you are used to me, it’s kind of normal.”
Nyandwi is mentored by fellow local artist Barry O’Keefe, who helps him create, exhibit and sell his art.
“I think Bukuru is kind of a magical fella in that way, in that it's tremendously easy to just jump into that relationship,” O’Keefe said. “Most relationships aren't like that. Most relationships change a lot. But he's got a really deep acceptance for just what is … which is not true of every artist you work with.”
O’Keefe also assists Nyandwi by mixing paint for him. Nyandwi chooses a colored pencil, and O’Keefe works to replicate the color as closely as possible.
The relationship isn’t about improving the artists’ abilities, O’Keefe said. Each artist arrives at Milk River Arts with an already-formed artistic perspective, so the real task is helping them understand and express what they want to say.
With a brush in his mouth, Nyandwi continues painting — putting the final touches on his work for the exhibition.
“I feel good. I can’t complain because it’s how God created me. So, I feel like I am [a] normal kind of person. I can do,” Nyandwi said.
The opening reception is from 5–8 p.m. Friday at the Quirk Gallery, located at 207 W. Broad Street. The exhibition will run through Sept. 14.
