Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
AS a prelude to International Women’s Day (IWD), the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo has issued an inspiring open call to women artists across the region.
The gallery is inviting submissions for the eagerly anticipated fifth edition of its landmark exhibition, “Vital Voices: Give to Gain.”
This initiative underscores the gallery’s enduring commitment to leveraging art as a catalyst for women’s empowerment and social change.
Building on the success of previous editions, “Vital Voices” provides a crucial platform exclusively for women artists. The exhibition empowers them to harness their creative talents to speak “on behalf of the voiceless” and drive meaningful dialogue around gender equality and women’s experiences.
“Vital Voices: Give to Gain is more than just an art show; it’s a movement. This initiative emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality, calling for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases women face in personal and professional spheres. Art has the unique power to challenge perceptions, celebrate resilience, and inspire action,” stated a communique from the NGZ in Bulawayo.
The call is specifically aimed at women artists aged 18 and above residing in Bulawayo, Midlands, and Matabeleland South.
The gallery actively encourages participation from both emerging talents and established practitioners, welcoming a diverse range of artistic voices.
Artists working across virtually any medium are invited to apply, including (but not limited to) painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, ceramics, performance art, creative needlework, installations, and digital art.
The thematic core of the exhibition is “Give to Gain.” Artists are urged to explore this powerful concept, interpreting it through works that celebrate women’s achievements, highlight often-unheralded successes, and amplify narratives of resilience. They are encouraged to intersectionalise women’s experiences, examining how culture, background, and circumstance shape diverse realities, and to create imagery that embodies strength, perseverance, and unity within women’s communities.
The gallery said prospective participants must submit a current artist statement and biography, provide images of up to three artworks (maximum 10MB per image), and ensure the works are ready for exhibition hanging.
Each submission should include detailed information for each artwork: materials used, dimensions, price (if for sale), and year of creation.
For video or animation submissions, artists should send an email link or deliver on a flash drive. All documents must be in PDF format, and submitted images must comply fully with copyright regulations.
A dedicated review team will carefully assess all submissions. Selection will be based on artistic merit, relevance to the “Give to Gain” theme, and the overall coherence of the planned exhibition. Artists whose work is chosen will be notified via email by 28 February.
Submissions are to be sent by January 31, either via mail clearly labelled “VITAL VOICES: Give to Gain” or hand-delivered to the NGZ in Bulawayo.
The NGZ in Bulawayo radiates anticipation for the artistic responses this call will generate. — @MbuleloMpofu
