adminartists by hosting a remarkable fine art exhibition by some of the country’s most creative women artists.
The hotel, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, recognises women as the foundation and strong cement that bonds everything in thriving communities.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Dr Olivia Muchena, officially opened the painting exhibition.
She expressed her appreciation but wondered where and how the various paintings on show by the artists were created. She stressed in the name of the Lord the strength and the role women play in the creation and sustenance of life, let alone the beauty of their creativity. The show was also graced by the ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zimbabwe, His Eexcellency Mr Mawampanga Mwana Nanga.
In his short speech, Mr Mwana Nanga alluded to some principled progress by empowered women in leadership like Honourable Minister Dr Muchena whom he has known for several years.
The well-attended exhibition is one of many proposed programmes by the hotel towards building a practical platform for community development.
The Courteney Hotel is offering hosting space for a year to various projects by women.
Women, the very epitome of human decorum, desperately bloom to impart beauty traits around them, in the home, workplace and world at large.
In the exhibition the women’s main focus is the environment and family.
They are campaigning for moral and environmental beauty, which with adequate support and direction they will give birth to a positive inspiration at grassroots level.
The platform brought together a mixed bag of young and upcoming artists as well as very senior painters who have been practitioners for periods ranging from 30-50 years.
The participating artists from all walks of life include Margaret Anne Davis, Marlene Bornman, Mavis Tauzen, Rachel Muketiwa, Virginia Chihota, Lin Barrie, Rudo Juliene Zijena, Patronella Chekerwa, Sheena
Chadwick, Trewartha Rosemary, Anne Zanele Mutema, Chido Nyatsuro, Felistas Mashonganyika, Natasha and Leslie Johnson.
The solo outcast on the walls is art legendary, Mr Peter Birch, who is supporting the empowerment of his female colleagues. His ever-bright semi-realistic landscapes are lighting the dark Cottage Pie lounge of the hotel in the exhibition that will run for the whole month of June 2011.
l Stephen Garan’anga is an international fine art practitioner, independent art projects co-ordinator. He is also the chairperson of AfricanColours Artists, executive member Batapata International Artists’ Workshop and critical visual arts writer amongst other things. Email: [email protected]
Online Reporter