adminI RARELY write about visual arts on this space. This is mainly because visual art is a complex field, more so when the art is abstract. Abstract art is like contemporary dance. Here audiences or art lovers are expected to deduct meaning from abstract movement or images. I have often found that many an audience or art lovers usually come up with different meanings to one piece of art.
An artist friend of mine who is into visual art once told me that the beauty of contemporary art, particularly abstract art, is in the fact that everyone who comes across it create their own meaning, different from others. The meaning is often determined by the person’s experience and intellectual level. So in the end one image becomes an endless canvas of meanings. However, this article is not about the merits or demerits of abstract art but about Felix Nene and his debut solo exhibition that opened at the National Art Gallery recently.
The Nene name is not new to art, particularly visual art. Remember George Nene whose paintings decorate many Catholic churches around the country? Well, Felix Nene is the late George Nene’s nephew. The uncle’s influence is unmistakable in Felix’s own paintings. I had trouble trying to differentiate a few of Felix’s paintings from his late uncle’s.
Anyway Felix Nene’s solo exhibition entitled “One thousand miles” is a mixture of religious and contemporary /abstract images. His collection meanders from religion to social commentary. The social and religious issues tackled by the exhibition makes it more interesting and worth a visit. Many of the pieces are actually worth taking home. They would make a great collection.
About his work Felix Nene had this to say. “I work mostly on interpretations and reflections of Zimbabwean life and culture, religious interpretations of mostly biblical stories, in all sectors, may it be abstract or realistic. I have had great influence from my late uncle George Nene mostly in colour work and mixing.”
Well, the truth is that art as we know it is the expression of one’s imagination in concrete terms. Painting is a mode of creative expression of the imagination of the artist and through his/her art an artist brings out his inner beauty in concrete terms. Felix Nene’s beliefs and inner thoughts are exposed in this exhibition.
Opening the Solo exhibition the guest of honour from the Roman Catholic Church read out this beautiful speech about religious art. “Religious art or scared art is artistic imagery using religious inspiration and motifs and is often intended to uplift the mind to the spiritual. Sacred art involves the ritual and cultic practices and practical and operative aspects of the path of spiritual realisation within the artist’s religious tradition.
Art and religious expression go hand in hand. The importance of art in conveying spirituality is as old as time itself. This is very evident in the way most of the churches are built and decorated with paintings. Art uplifts the heart of human beings. It takes us closer to God. It gives nourishment to our souls. Art enables us to appreciate the beauty and goodness of God, “he read. And one has to see some of Nene’s work to appreciate the above speech. But like I said the exhibition is not solely about religion; Nene delves into the familiar territory of social commentary too. His exhibition is currently running at the National Art Gallery and I encourage many to go and see it.
And away from the exhibition Intwasa Arts Festival is around the corner. The festival announced its headline act. Winky D, also known as The Ninja President is this year’s headline act. He will be supported by several local Djs who will be battling it out under the festival’s ultimate Djs Battle. The Headline act is slotted for 25 September at the Large City Hall.
Online Reporter