Global Citizen’s Emerging Creatives Program provides a platform for emerging creatives in the Global South that are highlighting the need for open civic space worldwide. Through their art, they call for change, shine a light on social injustices, and advocate for the advancement of the Global Goals.
SEPTEMBER 2024 SPOTLIGHT
“Exile is not a choice, it is a chance but also a pain and a challenge.”
- Thiha
Thiha, a self-taught artist from Myanmar living as a refugee in France, puts their feelings into their creations. They mainly convey this emotional, artistic ability through painting and cartoons.
“It took me a long time to call myself an artist. For as long as I can remember I always created with whatever I had, but it wasn’t seen positively by the people around me. I became confident enough to call myself an artist when I had the opportunity to create in some public spaces and started to get good feedback,” he told us. “For my family, creating couldn’t be a job... I am from a poor family, and art for them is something non-essential, what matters is what brings food and shelter”
Thiha left school in grade 5 to find work and help feed his family; as such there was no time for creating and drawing. “I still dreamed about art and which drawing or painting I could do. My childhood wasn’t happy but by working I got the opportunity to free myself from traditional family pressure. After I gave my share of the money, I could buy paper, pen, and sometimes colors with the money left,” he said.
For Thiha the internet was an invaluable resource that allowed him to educate himself and improve his English as there was little content online in his home language. “Now when I look back, I have no regrets about my education; I would not be the person I am if I had followed formal education.”
Civic space in Myanmar is closed, with civic society organizations raising concerns about the torture and killing of political prisoners and the harassment of journalists and activists. Thiha shares that before the coup in Myanmar in 2021, which deepened repression, his art wasn’t particularly political, however, this changed.
“I was questioning some rules of Myanmar society. I didn’t care about the bad remarks from the people, I hoped one day they would understand it. With the coup and repression of the revolution, my art changed but so did the place of art in Myanmar’s society. It became a way to express and show the world the voice of the many that cannot speak out.”
He added: “When I was still in Myanmar, with the repression, I had to stop political art and hide my last one in a safe place. I hope one day I can show it. I started making donations to support activists, even though this was dangerous, some were put in jail for donations supporting the people in the revolution. I wanted to stay, but people close to me got arrested, so I had to leave the country.”
“Since then, I look for a way to speak out, in paint and press cartoons. Press cartoons allow me to show a clearer message than painting. It is faster to create, yet so much more difficult for me to make! It is not just about the feeling I put in the creation, but about how to get people to understand the message in a more light and simple style than paint. It pushes me to develop my critical thinking.”
For the Emerging Creatives Program Thiha created a piece that looks at the experiences of refugees and exiles.
“It is based on situations I experience, but I think they will speak to many other refugees. We are in between two worlds; we lost our own, but we do not yet belong to the one we are in now. Our existence and activities are limited to our status and administrative process, yet we are the lucky ones compared to so many others who face danger every day at home. Exile is not a choice, it is a chance but also a pain and a challenge. When I was in Myanmar, I saw my people struggle and grow up in a place mainly closed off to the rest of the world. I was forced out, but it also opened my mind to the rest of the world. I hope this cartoon speaks to many, not just from Myanmar.”
Follow Thiha on Instagram
AUGUST 2024 SPOTLIGHT
“I use my art to change the world, make people understand, and teach others to make our world better.” — Jean Baptist Mugunga
Jean Baptist Mugunga is a visual artist from Rwanda working with watercolor painting, pencil, and pen. The 22-year-old has had a creative inclination since he was young: “I started by being a craftsman, and my friends and I used to make different things that we used to play with because our parents had no money to buy us toys, so we also looked for solutions.”
When he was in secondary school Mugunga heard about the Ivuka Art Center that taught young people how to draw. “The center had a program called Intango Art Kids. At the time it was difficult to find equipment, our parents didn’t have money so [the center] had to buy it for us. The owner had a heart of love and he did it so that we could achieve our dreams.”
Mugunga attended the program every Saturday and, over the years, continued to sharpen his knowledge.
For Mugunga, art is a way to make the world a better place. He explained: “I use my art to change the world, make people understand, and teach others to make our world better.”
However, while art is a powerful tool for change, being creative is not without its challenges and Mugunga said it is often costly to buy materials, in addition to it being difficult to source the materials in the first place. He also explained that “there is a large number of people who are an obstacle because they do not support artists in what they do and they do not know or understand the value of what we do.”
When it comes to civic space, Rwanda’s is repressed, but fortunately, he said: “I am able to work freely and without problems because (in Rwanda) you are safe and secure in what you do, because Rwanda follows the law and you can give opinions.” The multi-talented artist adds that the Rwandan government can better support artists like him by “raising awareness about and increasing education related to art. It can also help artists get cheaper tools and continue to promote the country as it does because that's when we see many tourists and we can tell tourists about art.”
For his Emerging Creatives Program piece, Mugunga focused on education.
“In Rwanda, Africa, and the whole world there is a problem of children being denied the right to study and finding themselves employed in low-paying jobs. They (also) miss the opportunity to go to school because there is a large number of people who do not know that reading and writing are important,” explained the artist.
Mugunga’s piece, titled: ‘The first basic education’, is watercolor on paper and mixed media. “Children need to go to school to learn writing and reading, and parents must take time to talk to their children and teach them,” he said. “Education is the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom. Education is the movement from darkness to light. Never stop learning because life never stops teaching, and this artwork shows that education is important.”
JULY 2024 SPOTLIGHT
“My practice allows me to engage in a conversation with both my ancestors and future generations.” — Pakkhee
Areesha Khuwaja, who goes by the name Pakkhee (which means bird in Sindhi), and describes herself as a passionate storyteller who uses art to weave cultural narratives and address social and environmental issues, is an artist and cultural practitioner from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
For the Emerging Creatives Program Pakkhee created multimedia illustrations which anthropomorphize the Karoonjhar mountains in Nagar Parker, Sindh. “Each stone in this multimedia artwork appears naturally carved to resemble a face,” she explained. “These faces, staring back as they are torn away, symbolize the innocence and beauty of the region being destroyed by granite mining. For the locals, this destruction feels like their mother’s milk is being taken away as they watch helplessly.”
She continued: “This piece calls for the halting of granite mining in these mountains, highlighting the environmental and cultural loss caused by such activities.” In addition to environmental challenges, such as being one of the top 10 most climate vulnerable countries in the world, as evidenced by the devastating flooding of 2022, Pakistan has a repressed civic space.
Pakkhee explained that the country’s environment can be challenging for activists, adding that “speaking out about religious and ethnic inequalities and gender issues can be risky, and there is often pushback from the establishment and religious extremists who benefit from a discord in the society. However, I have found ways to navigate these challenges by using symbolism and metaphors in my art to convey messages through my body of work subtly, yet powerfully.”
The artist went on: “While there are limitations on free expression, I strive to use my platform to its fullest potential, pushing boundaries and advocating for change within the constraints I face. I often take inspiration from Sindh’s spirit of creative resistance to keep me motivated.”
“Witnessing the socio-political challenges in my region,” she continued, “such as the erasure of certain religions, the stereotyping of certain cultures, and the internal colonization in Pakistan that undermines and commodifies indigenous cultures, I felt a strong need to use my creativity to interpret and visualize stories from my culture.”
JUNE 2024 SPOTLIGHT
“We can use our creative work to speak up about things that matter to us.”
Aynura Erejepbaeva uses traditional Karakalpak embroidery to communicate the messages that she wants the world to see related to causes she deeply cares about. The young Uzbekistanian is an environmental, cultural, and gender equality activist from a small village in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region within the country.
She spent several years assisting her community as a spokesperson against the effects of climate change and its contributions to the Aral Sea crisis. The 18-year-old is also a strong proponent for women's education and empowerment, and serves as a voice for the protection of Karakalpak culture in the face of globalisation.
Civic space in Uzbekistan is considered closed. In 2022, protests against the government’s proposed plans to remove Karakalpak’s autonomous status turned violent.
“As a post-Soviet country like Uzbekistan, it’s challenging to talk about the issues women face, as I’m often referred to as ‘too liberal, too feminist, too western’. That’s not a true reflection of me,” said the young artist.
For her spotlight as a Global Citizen emerging creative, Erejepbaeva created an embroidery piece which she said "represents the resilience of a Karakalpak woman — a mother, sister, and daughter, who are diligent and hard-working.”
She added: “The patterns surrounding the picture not only symbolise luck and growth but also reflect the fragile beauty of the Aral Sea, mirroring the delicate balance of hope and hardship faced by the Karakalpak community.”
MAY 2024 SPOTLIGHT
“My art is basically my way of reimagining a better way to be in the world. It is what makes me feel like the world is not enough but it can be.” - Tariq Lawal
Lagos-born 18-year-old writer, poet, artivist, and changemaker Tariq Lawal describes himself as “everything and nothing” due to his varying number of interests and passions. Raised by a single mother, Lawal said his creativity was unlocked by his upbringing.
“I spent most of my time daydreaming about different realities in my house,” he said. “Lagos Island is a very chaotic place, there is so much going on and I get lots of inspiration from living in an environment like this one. I do a lot of people-watching which is why I would like to become a sociologist some day.”
For Lawal art became a way for him to engage with and speak about the issues he cares about without being in the spotlight. He explained, “I used to be pretty shy even though I have always cared about social injustices. I felt like I wasn’t confident enough to go out in the streets to advocate for issues I care about dearly, so I started to use poetry and graphic design to express my desire for a more just, equitable, and fair world.
He continued: “I love being creative honestly, it is one of my biggest flexes. I am always able to come up with a very fun and creative way to bring awareness to issues I care about.” Lawal started writing poetry about social issues when he was 15, writing about gender inequality and misogyny in Nigeria, then later on he dealt with issues such as education, euphoria, pain, fear, mental health and more. Given the risks of being an activist in Nigeria, where civic space is considered to be repressed by the CIVICUS monitor, Lawal told us how he uses art as activism.
“Art is also the way I am the most comfortable expressing my discomfort with the status quo. Being an activist in Nigeria is not safe, there is literally no one to protect you. I have heard stories of Nigerian activists that got killed or attacked so I feel using art to disrupt the status quo is much safer and it saves me from terrible incidents that come with activism. In fact, I used to be uncomfortable with speaking out on issues I care about in person but as time went on, I started being more comfortable with using my voice both online and offline.”
Lawal has used his art to discuss gender inequality, racism, sexism, poverty, toxic masculinity, corruption, queerphobia, outdated education systems. For his spotlight as a Global Citizen Emerging Creative, he created a postmodern graphic artwork that spotlights climate change’s impact on his home, Lagos Island. “Art is an important tool for activism because it lets people empathize with other people and feel a sense of urgency regarding these issues,” he expressed.
For Lawal, creatives and artists that use their art as a tool for activism are needed. “We have so much power. Our creative work has the power to shake the world in its own way, to call out injustices in a gentle way, and lead to wider change. We need to keep doing our work because we are tackling injustice with every piece of work we create. I personally have to keep doing what I do because I want the world to change. I am not comfortable with the status quo, I want to live in a just and more equitable world already.”
NOVEMBER 2023 SPOTLIGHT
“I won't stay in my lane, I use my art to fight against hate and rage, for a brighter future, I'll continue to engage.”- Fred Mfuranzima
Fred Mfuranzima is a Rwandan writer, poet, artist, and activist working in the Great Lakes region. Born in Huye District in Southern Rwanda, Mfuranzima came from a family that survived the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, where an estimated 800,000 to 1 million people were killed in the space of 100 days.
“In my early years, we relocated to the slums of Kigali, where I experienced the harsh realities of poverty, domestic conflicts, and a broken family,” he recalls. “Our parents, despite feeling hopeless, did their best to raise and educate us with the support of the government and various organisations. Growing up as part of the post-genocide generation, I became the hope for my family and community. Witnessing the challenges faced by impoverished and traumatised families, I was inspired to utilise my talents to serve my community.”
This led to him writing several books, doing poetry-music performances, conducting exhibitions, organising dialogues, and becoming a peace and mental health activist — eventually founding initiatives like Imfura Heritage.
“Witnessing the devastating consequences of genocide, conflicts, social injustice, I realised the power of creativity to spark change. Through my art, I aim to challenge societal norms, raise awareness, and inspire dialogue for a more healing, reconciliation, unity, inclusive and equitable community,” he said.
In 2017, after graduating from high school, Mfuranzima founded Imfura Heritage, a multidisciplinary art centre that serves “as a safe space for peace and healing, with the aim of using arts, literature, and intellectual learnings to inspire peace, mental health development, and human rights activism among youth artists..”
Mfuranzima said that Imfura Heritage has made a significant impact on the community of Rwanda and the Great Lakes region by fostering dialogue, promoting healing, and empowering the youth to become agents of positive transformation through culture.
Having witnessed the consequences of violence and division, Mfuranzima said he is driven to promote peace and inclusivity because, “the impact of a lack of peace is devastating... I won't stay in my lane, I use my art to fight against hate and rage, for a brighter future, I'll continue to engage.”
However, using art for building peaceful and inclusive societies comes with challenges, particularly in the Rwandan context where civic space is considered repressed by the CIVICUS Monitor.
“One major hurdle is navigating sensitive topics and cultural nuances while ensuring the message reaches diverse audiences. Additionally, there may be resistance from those who fear change or challenging the status quo,” he told us. “As an artist, writer, and activist, I strive to express myself freely, but there can be limitations imposed by societal norms, censorship, or political pressures.”
However, despite these challenges, Mfuranzima is not deterred and added: “I persist in finding creative ways to advocate for peace and inclusivity, adapting my approach as needed to ensure my work reaches its intended audience.”
Mfuranzima said funding for creative projects like his is also a challenge, noting that despite.
Mfuranzima said passion, support, resources, freedom, and self-care fuel the work of activists and creatives like him. “These elements provide motivation, collaboration, empowerment, expression, and well-being, enabling us to continue making a difference,” he said.
OCTOBER 2023
South African-born Simphiwe Molefe, uses his photography to show the impacts of energy issues in the country. His collection of images titled, Impilo Iyaqhubeka, translates to mean “life goes on” in isiZulu and looks at how every day members of his community cope with South Africa’s ongoing power crisis.
In 2023, South Africa’s civic space rating was downgraded from “narrowed,” to “obstructed” — the third worst rating a country can have. That’s why Molefe believes creatives like himself have a role to play in highlighting the effects of the failure of basic services such as the power crisis in South Africa.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Collectivo Moriviví is an all-woman artistic collective based in Puerto Rico dedicated to “democratizing art and bringing the narratives of Puerto Rican communities to the public sphere to create spaces in which they are validated.”
Founded by artists, Raysa Raque Rodríguez García and Sharon González Colón who use their art to make a political statement. Puerto Rico has numerous challenges such as a poverty rate of over 40%, a debt crisis, a failing power grid, and the devastation of climate disasters. The collective continues to use public art as a tool for community-making and for organizing around issues that impact vulnerable Puerto Rican communities.
AUGUST 2023
Angela Valenzuela believes that music can create hope and togetherness — themes she thinks are important in the fight to defend the planet. A singer-songwriter who performs under the name Loïca, the 29-year-old Chilean artist and activist has been part of projects that use music and art to tell the story of the impact of the climate crisis.
Chile has challenges with a civic space that is considered narrowed, making the work of activists like Valenzuela both challenging and important.
JULY 2023
Ruth Mutana is a creative writer living in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe, who uses creative writing to share stories of the disastrous impact of poverty and inequality on vulnerable communities.Mutana chooses to focus on climate-related issues that impact vulnerable people in her writing because to her they are deeply important issues.
Zimbabwe including a civic space that is repressed. This has affected media freedom and the ability of activists and civic space organizations to do their work. However, despite these challenges, Mutana says she is able to keep doing her work. Read Mutana’s short story, Life in the Camp, here.
JUNE 2023
The African continent has strong warriors against the climate crisis, like Oluwaseyi Moejoh, a writer and the only African contributing editor for youth-led climate publication OH-Wake Magazine.
Civic space is repressed in Moejoh’s home country of Nigeria, where media freedom is under constant threat. Journalists face harassment and arrest while attempting to simply do their jobs. Still, Moejoh worked with The Lonely Whale Foundation to launch the African chapter of OH-Wake in Nigeria this year — a move that empowers young activists to find their voice while also expanding freedom of expression in her home country. Moejoh believes in the importance of using her voice and shares stories from the youth perspective.
MAY 2023
Onalerona Seane calls himself a creativist, which he describes as being a hybrid between a creative and a activist. He uses poetry to address societal issues in South Africa, focusing mostly on gender-based violence (GBV). The young poet believes that creative work has the power to ignite conversations. But his work is not without challenges. Onalerona says that activism comes with a lot of stress as people feel the need to speak out against you, to target you on social media.
When people like Onalerona are able to speak freely about issues in their communities, they can influence social and political decisions, which shows the importance of civic space.