The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
THE national lockdown has presented artistes with more than ample time to reflect on their careers.
Some have been working on new productions while others have actually taken a deserved break.
The otherwise busy lot has found time to bond with their families, with little or no work commitments to worry about.
David Ngwerume, a sculptor, reckons the lockdown period has given him time to dig deep into his creative treasure trove.
Apart from his usual stone work, he has also produced paintings and wood carvings.
Apparently “meditation” has helped him broaden his creative sphere.
Inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic, he recently released a masterpiece sculpture titled “Survival”, which has since captured global attention.
“After that sculpture, I was selected to represent Zimbabwe among a hundred other artistes at an international exhibition that will be held later this year.
“Also, the lockdown gave me more time in the atelier, so my target of 52 pieces by year-end has not been affected; in fact, I will produce more because I have got all the time,” said Ngwerume.
Upcoming musician Flex Tattle is presently composing new songs.
However, he argues the lockdown is conducive for family bonding than it is for creating new material.
The 13-year-old, who once made waves with his single “Nhoroondo”, revealed that he now has 12 tracks ready for release.
“I learnt a lot from spending more time with my family. But I have not stopped working. My fans should expect new music and videos from a number of singles that I am set to release after the lockdown,” said Flex Tattle.
“I got some fascinating encounters with my family and some of them actually influenced my lyrics,” adds the chanter.
Rising poet Kwathini Bhila has since authored a book titled “Mirror of my Heart” during the period.
This is her second manuscript after “Painting my Thoughts”, a joint compilation of various poems that she did with Tawanda Nyanyiwa.
“Spending time with my family has been great. Interesting ideas popped up and I have incorporated them into the book. Besides this project, we had time to work on our family business — Bright Future Junior School — for which we had to set up online classes and each one of us had a task.
“That brought us together even more, we have learnt to be hands-on and that we should depend on each other — a huge inspiration that I had to pen,” revealed Bhila.
The poet’s book is currently being edited and will be launched after the lockdown.
Versatile Mai Titi, born Felistas Murata, is currently in England but continues to entertain her fans on Facebook.
She is also working on her nascent music career.
“A lot of things have been happening to me lately — broken relationship and all that — but I do not cry over sad situations. I get inspired and make something useful out of it. I am in the process of recording an eight-track gospel album titled ‘Conqueror’,” she said.
