Meet Kuda Rice

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kuda Rice. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kuda below.

Hi Kuda, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?

I started to look at creative blocks in a different light after listening to an eye-opening Ted Talk by Pages Matam. He was speaking about creativity and writing in particular, and he said, “Writers block is not about the absence of imagination and inspiration [ideas]. It is about the surplus of judgment. It is you telling yourself that whatever you write won’t be good enough.” This made me understand that in those instances where I have a creative block, it’s not because I don’t have ideas, but because I am judging my ideas. A contributing factor to this is my inner need to always come up with a perfect idea from the get-go and not allow myself to accept even the bad ones, which can then be worked on. I have since then dedicated myself to putting down whatever ideas I have and then working on refining them, which allows me to constantly be in a state of creative mode.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a multidisciplinary artist whose work is centred around storytelling in different forms of art. At my core, I am a writer and poet who extends his writing and creative vision into musical expressions, visual explorations, and fashion expositions. My work involves two aspects, the first being performance art (spoken word), and the second being visual storytelling (creating short films and storytelling through photography). I consider myself to be a fashion creative as well, as I do a lot of content creation for fashion brands/designers as well as model and curate fashion shows. It’s extremely exciting to be able to tell stories, be it through articles that I write, poems that I share on stages, or the short stories and films that I share. The fulfilling part is seeing or hearing the positive impact that my work brings to some people’s lives, as my main aim has always been to create work that has a significant message. I am currently a nominee for the DSTV Content Creators Awards, in a category that is recognising content creators in Africa that are doing incredible work. I’m happy to be gaining that level of recognition, and I look forward to seeing how my work will continue to grow.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three skills and qualities that have been crucial for me and my journey have been creative versatility, storytelling ability and adaptability. Firstly, creative versatility is essential, it allows for one to express themselves across various art forms and reach diverse audiences. This enables artists to convey their message through multiple mediums, from writing and poetry to music, visual art, and fashion.

Secondly, the ability to craft compelling narratives through storytelling is vital. This skill enables artists to create work that resonates with people and leaves a positive impact on their lives. By developing their storytelling abilities, artists can effectively convey their message and connect with their audience.

Lastly, adaptability and collaboration are critical in today’s creative landscape. Being open to working with different brands, designers, and mediums allows artists to expand their reach and versatility. By embracing these opportunities, artists can gain valuable experience, build their network, and stay adaptable in an ever-changing creative environment.

For those early in their journey, I advise experimenting with different creative outlets to discover your strengths and passions. Develop your storytelling skills through writing, speaking, or visual arts, and practice conveying your message in a way that resonates with others. Finally, remain open to collaboration and adaptation, seeking opportunities to work with diverse individuals and brands to expand your reach and versatility. By focusing on these areas, emerging artists can lay a strong foundation for a fulfilling and impactful creative journey.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing that my mother did and still continues to do is believe in me and allow me the room to explore my passions. At an early stage where things didn’t make sense, she still gave me the space to pursue my creative ideas and passions. This level of support and faith in what I do has assisted me in being confident as I go about achieving the goals I have because I can trust that there is a strong support system behind me.

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