Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike in VENICE, Italy
VICE President Dr Kembo Mohadi has described Zimbabwe’s participation at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale as a source of national pride and commended the country’s growing artistic presence on the global stage.
Dr Mohadi made the remarks yesterday after touring exhibitions at the Giardini Central Pavilion, where artists from Africa and across the world are showcasing.
The 2026 Venice Biennale is running under the theme; “In Minor Keys”.
He called for more local artists to seize opportunities to exhibit at the world’s premier contemporary art exhibition.
Zimbabwe has participated at the prestigious Venice Biennale since 2011, using the platform to showcase the country’s contemporary artists and creative industries to an international audience.
Reflecting on the exhibitions he had viewed, Dr Mohadi said he had observed noticeable progress compared to his previous visit to the Biennale in 2024.
“Well, I haven’t been told much about the exhibitions, but the few that I have seen, compared to what I saw or witnessed in 2024, there is actually a marked improvement,” he said.
“That’s nature, we improve all the time. There’s no way yesterday can be better than today, so there is always an improvement.”
The Vice President reserved special praise for Zimbabwean artist Georgina Maxim, whose large-scale fabric installation transforms discarded clothing and handwritten text into an artwork that reflects Zimbabwean lived experiences while exploring themes of memory, identity and resilience.
Describing the exhibition as exceptional, Dr Mohadi said Maxim’s work demonstrated remarkable creativity and innovation.
“That’s a genius work. She did quite a beautiful thing.
“I never knew that someone can come up with such a piece of art, or pieces of art, from rags. So, she did well for herself and she did well for Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said Maxim’s participation at the Venice Biennale reflected the high standard of Zimbabwean artists and should inspire others to pursue international platforms.
“The fact that she has been allowed to exhibit in this international or global exhibition shows how much she has actually improved and we would like to encourage her to do more than that. More Zimbabwean artists should also come and exhibit.
“There is a lot that we have been doing, which we are not exhibiting here,” said Dr Mohadi.
The Vice President is today expected to tour the Arsenale Pavilion, another of the Biennale’s principal exhibition venues, where Maxim is exhibiting alongside Kenyan artist Kaloki Nyamai and South African artists Helen Sibidi and Senzeni Marasela.
Zimbabwe’s national pavilion features the works of Eva Raath, Pardon Mapondera, Franklyn Dzingai, Felix Shumba and Gideon Gomo under the theme; “The Nature/Manyonga,” which explores the interconnected relationship between humanity, nature and cultural identity through diverse artistic expressions.
Zimbabwe made its debut at the Biennale in 2011 and has since maintained a consistent presence, earning international recognition for presenting thought-provoking exhibitions that draw on the country’s rich cultural heritage while engaging with contemporary global issues.
Participation at the Biennale has also helped raise the profile of Zimbabwean artists, opening doors to international exhibitions, residencies, collaborations and new markets for the country’s creative sector.
