Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo is set to celebrate 55 years of existence through a poster exhibition, celebrating all the works that have adorned the gallery walls over the years.
The NGZ in Bulawayo regional manager, Silenkosi Moyo, said the exhibition is part of a pre-campaign with the actual birthday being on December 4.
Moyo said the exhibition will take the general public and art lovers down memory lane.
“The exhibition will run until December 4 and is open to everyone. It is a pre-campaign to showcase the journey that has brought us to where we are today as an institution. We’re also looking into the future, reaffirming our commitment to continue partnering with the public as we move toward the next 55 years and beyond.
“We invite members of the public to journey with us through the gallery’s archives in an exhibition that offers a poignant exploration of our history. This unique collection of posters, dating back to the 1960s, highlights the artistic brilliance of our creators while providing a window into the nation’s complex past.
“The posters not only reflect the colonial legacy that once influenced our cultural landscape but also capture the powerful spirit of transition and transformation that came with our independence. As visitors move through the display, they will relive cherished memories, meet the artists behind the works, and discover the moments that have shaped our gallery into the vibrant hub of artistic expression it is today,” she said.
The NGZ operates as a vital Government department under the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, established by an Act of Parliament. Its core mandate encompasses the collection, presentation and conservation of Zimbabwean art, showcased through diverse local and international exhibitions.
Beyond display, the gallery is instrumental in nurturing artistic talent through training and capacity-building programmes, ensuring artists contribute meaningfully to the nation’s evolving visual arts landscape.
The gallery fosters international cultural dialogue through residency programmes and participation in prestigious global platforms like the Venice Biennale, spearheaded by its Harare head office. This allows artists from the region to gain international exposure.
The Bulawayo gallery itself remains a vibrant community hub, evidenced just this past July when it commemorated 68 years of incorporation. Supported by the Friends of the Gallery, the celebration featured a day of public events, including an exhibition in the serene Sculpture Garden and diverse public programmes designed to engage all demographics.
The NGZ Bulawayo’s story is intertwined with the nation’s own. Founded in 1957 as the Rhodes Centenary Gallery, later known as the Rhodes National Gallery, it has been central to the promotion and development of Zimbabwean visual art for nearly seven decades. Its extensive collection and countless exhibitions have chronicled the nation’s artistic journey.
Since 1982, the institution has also taken the forefront in Visual Art education nationally. Through its School of Visual Art and Design and dedicated Education and Public Programming department, the NGZ provides crucial guidance on curriculum development and career pathways for aspiring artists across the entire Republic. —@MbuleloMpofu
