Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
NATIONAL Gallery of Zimbabwe chief executive, Raphael Chikukwa, has described the past two months as a difficult period for the photography industry, which has claimed some of its finest practitioners.
This follows the death of iconic photographer Bester Kanyama last month, followed by James Jemwa and Calvin Dondo over the weekend.
“The pain of losing Dondo is hard to bear, especially since we recently lost other legendary photographers like Kanyama and Jemwa, making these losses unbearable.
“It’s truly a difficult season for us and the photography industry.
“I have known Dondo for years, he was a quiet guy who thoroughly enjoyed his work, and he preferred to let his work do most of the talking. He was innovative, and I knew him on a personal level. He loved what he did as an artist.”
Chikukwa hailed Dondo for creating synergies in the photography industry that benefited locals.
“He had a strong network with other international photographers, and he is credited with bringing the World Press Photo exhibition to Zimbabwe.
“We will also remember him for promoting the Gwanza Photo Exhibition, which gave exposure to the likes of Tsvangirai Mukwazhi and many other photographers.
“He used to run them at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and we still consider him a son of this gallery where he held his exhibitions,” he recounted.
“Dondo also represented Zimbabwe at the 54th Venice Biennale and exhibited at the Havana Biennale, Paris Photo Exhibition, and multiple times at the Bamako Encounters − African Biennale of Photography. He really left a mark in photography.”
International photographer Nellien Brewer said:
“I’m so sorry to hear this. I met Calvin Dondo at the Joburg Fringe when we exhibited at Maboneng. He told me such interesting stories about the history of photography in Zimbabwe. Deepest condolences to his family,” posted Brewer.
Mukwazhi, who worked closely with Dondo, described his loss as a huge blow to the art and photography sector in Zimbabwe and beyond.
