Visual artists tackle climate change

Paidamoyo Bore and Faith Mandizha

NHAKA Gallery director, Hellen Matsvisi, has lined up visual artists to take part in the climate change crisis to relay a message in promoting climate justice.

Hellen said she was working with young artists to fight ozone layer depletion which has been caused by climate change.

“This time around, I am calling upon young talented artists to come with their art and we give them space to exhibit.

“The theme for the exhibition is ‘Climate Justice and Renewable Resource Solutions,” she said.

The director said the exhibition is aimed at educating people on how best they can take good care of the environment and recycle resources as part of those measures.

The exhibition will run from June 24 to August 10 at the gallery.

The final selection process of interested artists will be on June 10.

“We closed the online selection and those who were left out can come for the physical selection from 9 am to 3 pm,” she said.

The exhibition is open for interested photographers, sculptors, painters and drawers, among other visual artists.

“We are mainly focused on the visual aspect and art that focuses on the environment.

“We came up with this initiative after realising that art can easily pass the message to everyone.

“This will educate both the young and old that it is important to take good care of the environment and also show the consequences of our failures,” she said.

Two Netherlands artists will also take part in the exhibition, which will allow artists to experience cultural exchange.

Zimbabwe United Nations Associations environment specialist, Delight Bumhira, who is part of the selection team, said this is an important initiative to promote climate justice.

She said art will visualise the importance of climate justice in all age groups and marginalised communities as well.

“The scientists have already done their job informing us about climate change, it’s now high time we communicate about climate change through visual arts, where artists can have solutions painted or crafted so that others can understand.

“We also realised that those who go to art galleries are the ones who are interested in art so we have decided to take art to institutions and even in the streets where artists can speak on environmental issues,” she said.