adminDr Tony Mhonda Art Zone
The year 2013 began with a desperate cry to save the Arts and buffer the closure of Chapungu Gallery.
Looking through all the Art Zone articles for 2013, the year was in essence a trying year for the artists who have by and large had no space to exhibit their works, dwindling patronage and inadequate critical appraisal on the visual arts in most of the press.
In the article Impassioned plea to save Zimbabwe’s contemporary stone sculpture this writer emphasised that “ . . . it is germane for the government of Zimbabwe, and private philanthropists to arrest this wanton cultural genocide which is currently unfolding before our eyes at Chapungu Sculpture Park. The erudition of Zimbabwe’s artists is unacknowledged in the land of its origin, nor is the work properly documented for posterity and future education.’
Zimbabwean Stone sculpture plays an important role in interpreting social reality between the artist and the viewer; it forms a contemporary cultural memory bank for further study and appreciation of this world renowned art form. The all embracing pantheon of Zimbabwean sculpture is of considerable value in that it sheds new light on a broad range of socio-cultural issues and challenges, and issues of Post–Colonial identity”.
In February, 2013 “Everyone Feels Beautiful” was a photographic exhibition at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe by World renowned African artist, photographer, and impresario Samuel Fosso who showed works that were both visual and conversational images of African leadership, sailors, sports and political heroes, and a re-invented exoticism of Colonial Africa, dating from as early as 1970 to 2009.
In March 2013, this writer examined the realities of an art career in Zimbabwe, concluding that . . . : “You don’t choose art – Art chooses you”.
I emphasised in a further article that nurturing our creative memory is a national issue – it deserves national attention and African entrepreneurship.
Redefinitions IV – an exhibition of multi-media found objects by Zimbabwean artists – explored how the remains and discarded accruements of commerce and industry can be redefined as works of art. According to the official guest of honour, at Gallery Delta, his Excellency the Ambassador Head of the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, Mr Aldo Dell’Ariccia: “The 57 works of art by 10 up-coming artists are testimony of the continuity of such a rich cultural spirit and creativity”.
2013 saw Zimbabwe once again participate in the most prestigious world art biennale- the 55thVenice Biennale held every two years in the ancient lagoon city of Venice in Italy. In the Zimbabwe Pavilion 2013, five artists representing a diverse cross-section of age, ethnicity and religion, namely Voti Thebe, Rashid Joggee, Virginia Chihota-Sulzberger, Michele Matheson and Portia Zvavahera-Gomo were selected for the exhibition entitled DUDZIRO,
In June, 2013, Bromley based, visual artist Richard Witikanis’ solo exhibition captured pastoral and urban life portraits in fluid vibrant brush strokes that capture the essence and life of his subjects. “Gwanza” in mid-July touched on the core of social, urban and humanitarian issues that abound in our modern day society. Some of the exhibiting photographers Davina Joggee, Ann Mpalume, Believe Nyakudyara, Nancy Mteki, Rodney Murungweni, Aaron Mfumeli, Hilary Maradzika, dug into the interior spaces of society; behind bars in jails, in the privacy of boudoirs and bedrooms, on buses, in the streets, in mining tunnels at football fields and boutique stores to create their Art.
The article What visual arts can do for UNTWO-2013 in June 2013, encapsulated the role of the visual arts in distinguishing a nation’s intelligence and civilisation. Critical writing is the handmaiden of visual art and culture was an article which articulated how “ . . . writing is a means to the acquisition and transmission of greater knowledge. It preserves oral history, from which most of our early skilled craftsmen and sculptors learnt their craft Why Zimbabwe should invest in art education is an article enquiring: How much does Zimbabwe invest in the creative industries and art education? Industry and commerce need to engage with living artists and audiences, to encourage and inspire to ambition and excellence, in the arts in their most creative sense. Industry and commerce is a significant part of the cultural life of the country, in that they are responsible for much of the nation’s public and private investment in art and its artists.
December’s instalments of Art Zone calls for the revival of Zimbabwe stone sculpture vital as an encore to the year. Speaking to sculptors at Chitungwiza Art Centre, Cannon Patterson, Mbare and West Warren Park Zimbabwean stone sculpture has been steadily losing its value, artistic merit and International recognition. A small exhibition of stone art by artists in Mabvuku/Tafara headed by middling young sculptor Privilege Garande was a hopeful sign of the resilience and resourcefulness of the sculptors.
Can Zimbabwe once again, become the destination of choice for art collectors, cultural scholars, anthropologists, corporate collectors, gallerists, art enthusiasts?
2014 should be a year for investing solidly in the arts and not just paying lip service to the artists. Knowledgeable and right-minded people, with the right attitude should be at the fore of the arts in 2014. Only then will it be a progressive and revolutionary year for the visual arts.
Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Art Theory and Philosophy and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Post- Colonial Art and Heritage Studies. He studied law and photography at the Corcoran School of Art, Washington and holds a Law and Art Diploma from Georgetown University, Washington DC. He worked with WALA – (Washington Area Lawyers Association. He is an author, art critic, art consultant and a practicing visual artist. He is also a musician, and Corporate Image Consultant.
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