adminmeans to unite and Tashinga’s idea for this show was inspired by the birth of her first child.
Her work is an exploration of the interior and exterior experience of motherhood, as well as a celebration of the union of mother and child.
Born and raised in Harare, Gondo is the second child in a family of three children.
“Beneath the Surface” is her first solo exhibition comprising artworks using scrap objects that she collected. She also made use of digital media in her production process resulting in the creation of a body of work which memorialises her experience of her entry into motherhood.
“My mode and iconography is inspired by the tradition of Ndebele house painting, a creative process which involves the use of bright colours to create expressive symbols.
“In my work, I manipulate words representative of the various thoughts and feelings that I experienced during my pregnancy and after the birth of my child,” she said.
She adds:
“The manipulation of these words results in the creation of what I term ‘textual designs or symbols.”
The visual narrative in her work elucidates the union of mother and child. The artist’s individual experience illustrated in the archival works, also sheds light on the role of a woman in a cultural context and within the community.
Gondo’s sentiments are reflective of the late Colleen Madamombe’s views and advocacy on the role of women in society.
“Gondo is one of the country’s emerging artists and since her arrival at the Gallery; she has shown that her art practice needs a space. Her inquisitive eye and creativity brings us this powerful exhibition,” said the National Gallery’s curator Raphael Chikukwa. Gondo graduated on the Dean’s Merit List with a Bachelor of Fine
Arts degree in 2007 and attained a Master of Fine Art Degree in 2009 with Distinction from the University of Cape Town.
Online Reporter