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Trust Khosa
VISUAL artist, mentor and talent scout, Moffat Takadiwa, has hailed 2024 as the busiest season in his career spanning over two decades.
Takadiwa, who just returned from Paris, France, said he thoroughly enjoyed his last exhibitions in Europe and the US.
“I recently had quite an amazing tour of France which came after the US. I had a solo show that I opened there (in France) called ‘Reverse Deal’ and it was well-received in Paris.
“It happened timely with the Art Basel Paris, which attracts a big audience from the art community globally,”he said.
Takadiwa, who received rave reviews in Paris, hailed the recent tour of France as a huge success. The Mbare Art Space co-founder said he was living his dream with another tour coming next month.
“After the Paris show, I am back home ready for the Dakar Biennale (Senegal).
“So at the Dakar Biennale, we are going on projects section where I am representing the Mbare Art Space. We are taking our project to be showcased at the Biennale.
“In the projects section, they have six projects which were selected from the continent, which will be shown there.”
Takadiwa, who is leaving for the Dakar Biennale on merit, has vowed to put Zimbabwe on the global map.
He also described 2024 as an eventful year for him which opened many doors.
“This year I will say it was a successful year in which my practice was on the radar and taking a stiff trajectory, being noticed by many big institutions and museums.
“Recently, I was in San Francisco where I had a talk with museum directors, art collectors and travelling around the US.
“This year started with a lot of shows in Europe, France, where I did my first institutional show.”
He also made history as he travelled to the 60th International Art Exhibition at Venice Biennale 2024 in Italy among six other visual artists.
Dubbed the “World Cup of Visual Arts”, he participated at the Zimbabwe Pavillion along with Kombo Chapfika, Troy Makakaza, Victor Nyakauru, Gillian Rosselli and Sekai Machache.
“On my return, I had my first solo show in China. I also travelled to the US again. I had launched my solo show at my gallery in Los Angeles and for the first time a lot of Zimbabweans living in the US came to witness my show.
“I also traveled to a very esteemed university in the US called Yale University.
“My practice has been well received overseas. With many reviews which are critical takes about my work and this is very important for an artist to be reviewed.”
With his experience in international exhibitions, Takadiwa is calling upon locals to embrace visual arts.
“People should learn to appreciate art and learn to include it in the art ecosystems,” he said.
Takadiwa also urged art collectors including banks, galleries and governments to create an enabling environment where creatives can submit their wares for buyers.
This is the main area where most visual artists need help as they are lagging behind in their quest to make an international breakthrough.
Online Reporter