It was a chilly Friday evening. I had stopped by to introduce an artist to a potential client—and, of course, to grab a cup of coffee. The artist in question hones his craft under the banner of Isubyo House of Art.
Isubyo is a Kinyarwanda word meaning “tree trunk.” The creative minds behind Isubyo have mastered the art of transforming logs into pieces that speak to the soul. Their work consistently exceeds the high expectations of their clientele.
Founded in 2017 by four young visionaries, Isubyo House of Art is where wood is turned into a treasure. In Isubyo's showroom, each piece of log is a testament to the magic of craftsmanship.
But this post isn’t just about Isubyo. It’s about what unfolded during that particular Friday’s coffee break. When the aforementioned artist was talking business with his potential client, my dose of caffeine was administered.
The venue of this coffee break was Kaso Outdoor, an enchanting joint affiliated with Isubyo House of Art. Apart from coffee, the establishment offers a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
After the last sip, I took a quick tour and observed a few things. Creativity hung in the air, palpable and inviting. I came to facilitate a meeting, but I ended up wandering through the minds of artists.
One particular painting on the wall stopped me in my tracks. It depicted books hanging from the branches of a towering sycamore tree. Beneath the tree, a man sat reading. Not far from him, a woman was placing a crown on her head while getting rid of a pair of handcuffs. The imagery was intriguing. Layers upon layers of meaning begged to be unpacked.
When we drive past a new billboard, our brains work in microseconds—absorbing shapes, colors, and slogans to extract the intended message. But art demands more from us. It invites us to slow down, to resist snap judgments, and to truly see.
On my way out, I paused again in front of the painting, taking a closer look. I’m determined to track down the artist and have a conversation about what inspired the piece. When that happens, I’ll share his story—and the deeper meaning behind the work—right here.
There’s clearly more to Kaso Outdoor than coffee. In fact, from where I sit, coffee may not even be their core offering. One of these days, I’ll get to the bottom of that too.