Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
LAST week, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo hosted a captivating solo photography exhibition, Nothing to See Here!, by multi-disciplinary artist, writer, and filmmaker Elliot Moyo.
The event marked a significant milestone in Moyo’s artistic journey, weaving together three core themes — childhood, identity, and the presence — while delving into societal issues such as death, xenophobia, love, and more.
Saimon Mambazo Phiri, a leading figure in the arts community, eloquently introduced Moyo’s work, highlighting its subtle yet powerful impact.
“Tonight is more than just an exhibition. It’s an invitation to pause, to feel, and to truly see —even if there is nothing to see . . . Photography, in Elliot’s hands, is not just about what we see, but how we feel what we see,” Phiri said.
His speech resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring the exhibition’s aim to spotlight the in-between moments of life that often go unnoticed. The showcase transformed the gallery into a space for deep reflection, inviting attendees to connect with the subtle, overlooked beauty of everyday life.
Moyo’s work, described as a “visual meditation on presence”, blended portraiture, still life, documentary, and staged photography to evoke profound emotional responses.
“The exhibition reflects how we move through the world, how easily we become desensitised to its subtleties, and how light and shadow can elevate the ordinary into stories worth telling.”
Sharing his roots, he said: “Growing up in Mpopoma, stories were everywhere. In the streets. In the laughter. In the grief. In the way people carried themselves when they thought no one was watching. Photography became my way of holding those stories still — just long enough to study them, feel them, and share them.
“The images in this exhibition speak to memory, grief, identity, and the presence we give — or withhold — in our everyday lives.”
As guests explored the collection, they encountered striking visuals that touched on themes of love, memory, and resilience.
The main piece in my exhibition is a collaged photograph of a funeral church scene with a casket with flowers and a reflective frame on top of it that allows the viewer to see themselves in the frame to reflect.
The exhibition also offered limited-edition collectible prints and postcards, giving attendees the opportunity to take home a tangible piece of Moyo’s thought-provoking work. — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
