admin“Seeing Ourselves” is the first Zimbabwean exhibition to be shown at the prestigious international art exhibition that has been held in Italy every two years since its establishment in 1895. 2011 was also the first time in history that Zimbabwe secured its own pavilion at the global art showcase.
Speaking at the official opening of the exhibition in Harare, Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Stefano Moscatelli said: “Zimbabwean contemporary art made a great impact when the selected works were shown at the 2011 Venice Biennial.”
He said that the more than 20 000 visitors to the Zimbabwean Pavilion in 2011 were a positive indicator of how well the works were received and that Zimbabwe is actively engaged in positive dialogue with the international community through art.
Ambassador Moscatelli said that Zimbabwean art stands to make a greater impact in Italy this year through participation in the 2013 Venice Biennial and the showing of an art exhibition on the construction of Kariba Dam in Rome later in the year.
“Seeing Ourselves”, which was curated by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s chief curator Raphael Chikukwa, showcases work by Misheck Masamvu, Calvin Dondo, Tapfuma Gutsa and Berry Bickle. The participating artists present Zimbabwean contemporary art and a narrative told from their own perspective.
Addressing guests at the exhibition’s official opening in Harare, National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s executive director Mrs Doreen Sibanda said: “Zimbabwe has been in the limelight for a number of years and our appearance at Venice in 2011 and again this year, is poised to reveal the artistic development that is currently taking place in our society.”
The exhibition was organised and presented by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture and the British Council.
Online Reporter