Thakor Patel exhibition begins

Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
Local based Indian visual artist Thakor Patel’s works will be on display for the next two months at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in an exhibition dubbed “A retrospective of Thakor Patel”. Curated by Raphael Chikukwa, the exhibition opened last Thursday and consists of Patel’s works from different collectors in Zimbabwe, his family, diplomats and the gallery’s permanent collection.

The pieces on display include images he did when he was in India and those he did when he relocated to Zimbabwe.
Curator Raphael Chikukwa said Patel’s work is unique and speak volumes of his African influence.

“His African influence can be seen through the African motifs that prominently feature in his paintings. Having been part of the Zimbabwean art practice for about four decades, Patel has contributed so much to visual arts movement through his paintings and drawings. He has taken part in a number of exhibitions in and outside Zimbabwe,” he said.

Chikukwa said the paintings and drawings on display convey a deep meaning of social problems people face every day.
“His technique over the years overlapped with his broader treatment of a subject matter that, whether taken from existing sources, always involves a narrative element. Patel’s paintings convey meaning to the viewer and generate critical discourse around his work,” he said.

Patel came to Zimbabwe on invitation from a friend just after independence and fell in love with the country so he decided to stay. He has been producing and selling art here for more than thirty years now, exhibiting all over the world and winning awards.

Despite making so much contribution to the local arts industry Patel’s name remains a footnote to the story of Zimbabwean art for the last three decades.

Initially, trying to sell his art, he walked every street corner in Harare, but no one appreciated his work until he finally came across a board advertising Gallery Delta in Robert Mugabe Road.

He was shown the way to the gallery and upon entering he felt he had finally come to the right place.
He was right. He introduced himself to Helen Leiros, the lady in charge, and showed her his work.

When she saw it, she was impressed and wanted to exhibit it immediately.
However, Patel had no money to frame his pieces for exhibition and he explained his situation. The gallery helped him out and two weeks later his work was on display.

His drawings were sold for twenty-five dollars each, a great leap from the fifty cents per piece, which he had been offered initially by a card shop.

Born in India in 1932, he grew up in Sujitra in the Kaira district of Gujarat. At school he was told by teachers that he could never be an artist because he was disabled.

Against all odds he studied drawing and painting for five years and completed with a first class. He also did a four year commercial arts course at Mumbais Sir JJ School of Art where he graduated with a first class diploma in painting and drawing.

He then worked as a textile designer and assistant director for an Indian textile company.
Patel has travelled, exhibited his work and attended workshops all over the world including in the US, UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Senegal and his homeland India, just to name some.

“His list of awards, honours and exhibitions is a wonder to behold and we have published them here so you can see it for yourself.
“His work can be seen in the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s permanent collection, in the collection of art at Zimbabwe’s State House and in collections in at least twenty other countries,” said Chikukwa.

As part of his contribution to local arts Patel worked as a Graphic Design lecturer at the Harare Polytechnic from 1982 to 1990.