The Sunday Mail
Takudzwa Chihambakwe – Leisure Correspondent
When asked to comment on local music, many will say Oliver Mtukudzi and Mokoomba, among many other local groups, are representing the country well on the international stage. When it comes to film, names like Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Joe Njagu or Rumbi Katedza will quickly come to mind.
However, the same cannot be said about contemporary art because not only do local people rarely buy art works such as paintings or sculptures, they also rarely visit local galleries where these magical works are exhibited. But despite the genre getting little or no recognition at all, the various stakeholders involved have set an amazing standard over the years, ensuring that Zimbabwe is counted amongst some of the best countries when it comes to contemporary work, not only in Africa but the world over. Currently, the country is participating at the 56th Venice Biennale dubbed the “Olympics of the art world” represented by Masimba Hwati, Chikonzero Chazunguza and Gareth Nyandoro.
These artists do not only produce beautiful artworks, their works evoke emotions and provoke thoughts.
This year’s Biennale is special in that for the first time ever, the curator is an African, Okwui Enwezor from Nigeria. This shows that African art and artistes are making headway on the global stage and Zimbabwe is part of the whole mix.
In light of this growth, Chika Okeke-Agulu, a Nigerian artist, art historian and curator had this to say in an interview with CNN: “After this exhibition (Venice Biennale), any supposedly international contemporary art exhibition that does not include a reasonable number of African and black artistes will look so small and utterly narrow-minded.”
After reading this statement, it made me wonder if Zimbabwe is ready to be part of the zeitgeist challenge against the notion that Europe has all the magic when it comes to contemporary art.
The Sunday Mail Leisure got in touch with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe Curator and Deputy Director, Raphael Chikukwa who confidently assured art lovers that Zimbabwe has what it takes to prove that Africa has the magic.
“Zimbabwe is the only African country that has been consistent in having a country pavilion, three years in a row, without fail. That alone is a big sign. When we arrived in Venice for the first time in 2011 not many people were expecting us. Many thought it was a once-off thing but we knew we were not going anywhere soon.
“Our return in 2013 was huge in that we maintained our pavilion and improved on the standard of our works. Zimbabwe is very rich in terms of contemporary art and we are not short of artists who can showcase on a global stage.
“Some of the artists that we took to Venice includes Virginia Chihota and Portia Zvavahera. They went on to scoop some top accolades and are now working with some renowned galleries in London and South Africa.
“This year, our three artists – Masimba Hwati, Chikonzero Chazunguza and Gareth Nyandoro – have works that not only show the Zimbabwean culture, but also tackle global issues. The theme for our pavilion is “Pixels of ubuntu/unhu”, it explores the social and cultural identities of the 21st century, and we are happy to inform you that the Zimbabwean voice is being heard, the pixels are speaking. Recently, we were at the 46th Art Basel, which was held in Switzerland and we engaged in deep conversations that have opened up many opportunities for artistes not only in Zimbabwe, but in Africa as a whole. “Therefore, Zimbabwe will not be left by the train. As the National Gallery, we will push with our various partners to make sure that Zimbabwean artists and their art are represented at the highest level on the global stage.
