Mundopa preaches hope, transformation in exhibition

Trust Khosa

In life, motivational speakers and influencers are often celebrated for sharing enduring messages of transformation, hope, and progress.

These themes inspire undervalued individuals to recognise their worth and potential.

It is also essential to acknowledge the significance of discovering value in what is frequently overlooked. This idea was powerfully illustrated in visual artist Wycliffe Mundofa’s exhibition, which opened at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe last Friday.

Titled “Ibwe Rakaraswa Nemuvaki,” loosely translated as “the stone that the builders rejected,” the exhibition serves as a beacon of hope for those in despair.

With a particular focus on women, the media-shy Mundofa’s artistic expressions were beautifully showcased throughout his month-long exhibition.

According to the exhibition’s curatorial statement compiled by Fadzai Muchemwa, Mundopa is a storyteller who brilliantly uses this medium of art to empower those in despair, especially women. “Ibwe Rakaraswa Nemuvaki is an exhibition that invites viewers to reflect on the objects, histories, and identities that are discarded in our societies — whether through neglect, exclusion, or deliberate erasure — and to re-examine the potential for those overlooked elements to become the very foundation for change and new growth.

“The exhibition expands the oeuvre of Wycliffe Mundopa, who explores the themes of liminality, displacement, and re-evaluation. He offers a range of works that challenge conventional notions of value, identity, and what is acceptable,” reads part of the curatorial statement.

On the significance of the discarded stone, it was borrowed from biblical scriptures, which preach hope to those in despair and the downtrodden.

“The title of this exhibition draws inspiration from the biblical parable that speaks to the idea of misjudged value and the notion that what is discarded or deemed unworthy often holds transformative power.

“The exhibition centres on the rejection of certain histories — cultural, social, and political — that have been intentionally obscured or discarded by dominant narratives.

“The artworks of ‘Ibwe Rakaraswa Nemuvaki’ engage with this duality, drawing on their symbolic resonance to express themes of solidity, fragility, endurance, and rapture.”

With the stone symbolising permanent strength and resilience, Mundopa’s art collections are relevant to contemporary societies that badly need healing.

A tour of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe will leave one enriched with knowledge and empowered to remain firm and resolute in times of despair and hardship.

Some of his art collections and powerful paintings, like “Kugeza Jambwa,” “Ziso Rakaona Zvakawanda,” “Temptation,” “Mombe Dzemukaka,” and “Girl Guide,” are pregnant with meaning.

In all these art collections, Mundopa is yearning for healing, good luck, and success in people’s lives.

True to the biblical scriptures that state the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, Mundopa simply gives hope to people.

In life, we all go through many ups and downs, which only need God to provide answers. In the Bible, particularly in Psalm 118:22 and Matthew 21:42, it refers to Jesus Christ as the cornerstone that was rejected by the builders (the religious leaders of His time).

This symbolises how he was undervalued but ultimately became essential to the faith.

The rejected stone can represent individuals or ideas that are overlooked or dismissed by society but hold great value and potential.

It emphasises themes of redemption and the idea that what is initially rejected can become foundational or crucial. This has been captured in Mundopa’s exhibition, which is set to give people hope and a change of mindset when they face challenges.

NGZ executive director, Raphael Chikukwa, who presided over the official opening, described the exhibition as a must-watch.

“Wycliffe Mundopa is one of our students, and we are very pleased that he is maturing with age like the proverbial wine.

“This exhibition is very powerful, and if you go through his works, you can see that he is conveying many themes in the best way possible. His artistic expression has made this exhibition unique, and we are glad that one of our students is doing well and exhibiting here with us,” he said.

Fellow artist Moffat Takadiwa of Mbare Art Space, who attended the official opening of “Ibwe Rakaraswa Nemuvaki,” hailed the exhibition as a triumph.

“Wycliffe is doing very well judging by what I saw here. He needs to keep working hard to realise his potential. It’s a good show from this young man, and I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition,” he said.

With the endorsement of Takadiwa, who has extensively toured the globe exhibiting his work, Mundopa is on the right track.

As a role model to young artists, Mundopa will certainly leave a mark and inspire future generations. His artworks are rich in meaning and reflect day-to-day life.

In a broader sense, this exhibition signifies resilience and the journey of finding one’s worth despite rejection or adversity.

Overall, it conveys themes of transformation, the undervalued becoming valuable, and consistency in life.