ARTISTS BREAKING BARRIERS

Trust Khosa

LOCAL artists are breaking barriers and the new crop has been challenged to go the extra mile and change the narrative.

Zimpapers Group CEO, Pikirayi Deketeke, who is also an arts critic, described the work, which was coming from places like Chitungwiza, as “amazing.”

He was speaking in Harare on Tuesday night during the official opening of a visual arts exhibition at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Innovation and tackling major themes have made the new breed of visual artists’ job easier and enjoyable.

Dubbed “A Gathering”, the exhibition is, indeed, a collection of refreshing works made from recycled material.

Tarisa Art Studio, Village Unhu, Post Studio Arts Collective and Animal Farm Artists’ Residencies are presenting their pieces.

“Lack of material is not a hindrance to visual artists. This exhibition comes at a time when most artists are using recycled materials,” Deketeke said.

“Our artists are breaking barriers by using recycled material.

“The volume of work coming from other areas like Chitungwiza is amazing.”

The lack of material is no longer a hindrance for the new crop of visual artists who continue to reinvent the wheel.

Fellow NGZ board member, Bryn Taurai Mteki, hailed the new crop of artists for their stance on commercialisation and globalisation.

“Over the years, most artists focused on showcasing their talents while the current crop is more on the commercial side.

“The new crop of artists exhibiting here are those who are theme-based art practitioners.

“We are happy when our artists are telling their own stories using art.

“We need to educate each other using the arts as is the case here today when we are witnessing a new era in the sector.”

Mteki believes there is a need to embrace the new crop of artists who are making an impression.

“What makes this exhibition unique is that most of the artists we have here are now commercial, which is good for the development of the sector.

“Artists should eke out a living from what they are doing,” he said.

Chitungwiza-based artist Ngonidzashe Tsiga, who explores nature through his collections, said art should be made compulsory in the school curriculum.

“We are all products of nature and it is my desire to come up with something that we can easily relate to.”

In recent months, most artists have been using their talent to explore global issues like climate change, gender-based violence and the appreciation of nature.