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VISUAL artist Tonderai Mujuru believes international exposure and collaborations are key to unlocking the potential of local creatives.
Better known as The Pencil Knight, the 41-year-old is not regretting his bold decision to transition from civil service into the world of visual art, where he has established himself as a renowned hyper-realistic artist.
For Mujuru, embracing wildlife painting and drawing has become more than just a profession — it is his true calling.
Raised in Glen View, Harare, the artist now spends much of his time exhibiting his portraits in international galleries across America, Europe, Australia, Asia and other parts of Africa.
He credits this exposure for broadening his artistic horizons and helping him become one of the sought-after artists on the international scene.
Having extensively toured Europe, Australia, America and Asia, Mujuru believes international exposure has enabled him to think outside the box and explore new creative possibilities.
He made the remarks following the overwhelming response to his recent portraits, among them The Architecture of the Gaze, a pastel wildlife portrait that captures the uniqueness and beauty of nature.
Operating under MujuArt Studios, Mujuru has continued to attract global attention with his portraits, particularly his leopard studies rendered in pastel pencils.
His works have found appreciation among art collectors in Dubai, Zurich, New York, Zanzibar, Durban and other cultural hubs in China and Australia.
His passion for nature is also evident in The Obsidian Mirror: An Obsession with the Eye, a portrait that reflects his deep appreciation for wildlife.
For Mujuru, the eye serves as an obsidian mirror, capturing the untamed spirit of the creature.
Using mainly pastel pencils, charcoal and oils, he has created works that are both deceptively simple and sophisticated.
For an artist whose career has been defined by bold ambition and international recognition, exposure remains a key ingredient in his success.
“International exposure is all that we need, since it enables us to think outside the box,” Mujuru told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
“Business-wise, exposure and collaborations are very important for our personal growth.
“In my case, I have been to many places overseas, like Dubai, New York and Switzerland, showcasing the reality of wildlife art.
“In fact, I am hugely inspired by wildlife, and through our work, we are sharing how best it can be preserved.
“I also have sentimental value attached to most of these paintings.”
Regarding collaborations, he added:
“I have done some major collaborations with charcoal pencil artist Ricky Dampers, who is based in Glen Norah.
“I have donated some works to The Friend Animal Foundation (FAF), which is Zimbabwe’s largest no-kill animal rescue and sanctuary in Harare.
“Some of our paintings have also been donated to the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and Botswana.”
Mujuru, who is seeking greater recognition on the local scene, is looking forward to engaging stakeholders who promote and champion wildlife preservation.
In his quest to appeal to international buyers, the pencil artist’s passion has continued to drive him to put Zimbabwean art on the world map.
According to his biography, Mujuru has cultivated international synergies and established links that have enabled his art collections to transcend borders, capturing the imagination of collectors and critics worldwide.
His breakthrough came after major exhibitions on the international scene.
Locally, he has held several successful exhibitions, although his work largely appeals to an elite audience that appreciates the genre, particularly pencil art.
His achievements have earned him awards both at home and on the international stage.
Mujuru hopes to see more stakeholders embracing wildlife conservation and appreciating the need to preserve it for future generations.
For him, pencil art and painting remain a genuine calling — a means of storytelling through which he continues to celebrate nature and its untamed beauty.
