Festival ends on high note

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
The recently held Chitungwiza Arts Centre Art Exhibition gave hope to sculptors as several arts stakeholders came to support the cause. The one week exhibition ended on Saturday with several people including diplomats attending. Some artists from Tengenenge Arts Centre also came to witness the exhibition that saw about 200 sculptors showcasing their works.Themed “Rebirth” the event came at a time when Zimbabwe stone work is more recognised in foreign lands that at home.

The chairman of the Arts Centre Taurai Tigere said they were happy with the response from their community. “As you can see local people are coming in to see the works. This is encouraging and if we work hard they will be appreciated back home,” he said. “I am sure Zimbabweans understands that stone work is part our culture and if they get exposed to the works they will appreciate sculptors. The council should allow us to have street exhibitions,” he said.

Sculptor Rickson Murehwa’s piece titled “Free Crime Environment” scooped the first award. Made of green and white opal and spring stone the piece gives people a lesson about trust.

“I left my bag at a bust stop in Algeria for a week and when I returned it was still there. It would not have been the same case in Zimbabwe and I did a piece about that experience to show people that they should trust each other,” Murehwa said. He believes that Zimbabwe has a great potential to have a crime free environment.

“I am happy that I have managed to win at this year’s Chitungwiza Arts Centre exhibition,” he said. The second winner was Farai Nyakanyanza while Taurai Mupaso was on third position.