Visual artist hails resilient women in new exhibition

Arts Reporter

Prolific fine artist, costume and fashion designer, Sabina Mutsvati, has fully embraced the essence of womanhood through her latest exhibition, opening today at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare.

Titled “Ndishonongoreiwo,” this exhibition pays tribute to the resilient women who tirelessly work to bring stability to their homes.

Designed to be an eye-opener, the exhibition highlights the strength and dedication of these women, showcasing their significant contributions to society.

Mutsvati’s work not only celebrates their achievements but also encourages a deeper appreciation for the roles they play in fostering resilience within families and communities.

What has raised the appeal of Mutsvati’s solo exhibition is that it comes at a time when influential women are under the spotlight worldwide.

Powered by the Embassy of Ireland, Mutsvati has started the 2025 calendar on a high note as she explores women’s issues through her art collections.

Mutsvati, who blends tradition with modernity in storytelling and cultural expression, has urged art lovers to show up in numbers.

“I am ready for the exhibition taking place at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. It’s a solo exhibition where I am tackling a number of issues.

It has coincided with Women’s Month, although in my case, I believe February, known as Kukadzi in vernacular, should be regarded as the women’s month. However, I will join the rest of the world in celebrating this period through my exhibition,” she stressed.

Mutsvati, who has held a series of group exhibitions before, uses her talent in storytelling. Last year, she starred in a Women’s Day presentation titled “Only What is Revealed Can Be Known.” Building on last year’s success, she has bounced back with “Ndishonongoreiwo,” which has since attracted the interest of art lovers, collectors, and critics.

According to its curatorial statement dubbed “Mutsvairo: A Sweeping Chronicle,” Mutsvati provided insight into the exhibition.

“In my practice, I seek to reimagine everyday objects as vessels of history, memory, and transformation. Mutsvairo: A Sweeping Chronicle is an installation that elevates the Zimbabwean broom (mutsvairo) beyond its functional role, turning it into a storyteller of time, labour, and womanhood.

“The mutsvairo carries with it the quiet resilience of the women who wield it—generations of mothers, grandmothers, and daughters who have swept homes, courtyards, and histories into order.

“In this installation, 600 brooms come together to form a dress, bending under the weight of tradition and movement. The gesture is both a dance and a labour—a metaphor for the unseen but essential work of women in shaping society,” reads part of the statement.

“Through this work, I invite viewers to engage with the physicality of the broom as a symbol of endurance, care, and cultural identity. By bending and shaping the mutsvairo, I aim to challenge its mundane perception and instead present it as an artifact of time, carrying the imprints of those who have held it.

“This installation is a dialogue between past and present, function and art, labour and legacy. It is a tribute to the quiet strength embedded in everyday rituals—a reminder that even the simplest gestures carry the weight of history.”

According to her profile, Mutsvati is a fine artist, fashion, and costume designer known for her innovative storytelling and cultural expression.

Her work seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, pushing the boundaries of art, design, and immersive technology.

Her groundbreaking VR project, Futuristic Pagan (2023), was showcased at the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe and earned nominations for the Stars Electronica Award and the AIXR Social Impact Award 2024 (finalist).

In 2024, her mastery of costume design and cultural interpretation took center stage in Ndima Ya Mai, a dance production that captivated audiences with its authenticity.

Since 2021, Sabina has served as Creative Director at Dzimbanhete Arts and Culture Interactions, shaping initiative cultural projects.

She also works as a freelance wardrobe planner for television commercials, bringing a meticulous and culturally nuanced approach to visual storytelling.

Her work challenges conventions, inspires dialogue, and celebrates the intersection of art and heritage.

Last year, she had a successful season as she collaborated with Chipo Mapondera for the Copenhagen Film Festival, showcasing their art collections.

The exhibition explored Shona spiritual practices and traditions through virtual reality.

Through her versatility, she has also managed to win the hearts of many with her creative edge.

She also believes in quality exhibitions, and today’s event promises   fireworks.

Mutsvati is one of the popular fine artists in Zimbabwe who is doing well, along with the likes of Portia Zvavahera, Virginia and Shalom Kufakwatenzi, among others.

Her exhibition comes at a time when the demand for local art collections is high overseas.

She is one of the female artists who has managed to gain international exposure, although she is itching for the same recognition on home turf.

With versatility being her middle name, Mutsvati is destined for the stars, and with her immense talent, she has nothing to prove.