Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike in VENICE, Italy
Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi has expressed satisfaction with the exhibitions at the 2026 Venice Biennale, saying Zimbabwe is drawing valuable lessons from the international showcase.
He said this after touring the Arsenale Pavilion, where he viewed exhibitions by several African countries, including Zimbabwe’s presentation by acclaimed visual artist Georgina Maxim.
The visit formed part of the Vice President’s engagement with one of the world’s leading international contemporary art exhibitions, which brings together artists from across the globe to showcase diverse creative expressions and cultural narratives.
During the tour of the Arsenale exhibition spaces, Vice President Dr Mohadi, viewed a range of installations highlighting Africa’s growing contribution to contemporary art.
The exhibitions reflected themes of identity, heritage, resilience, innovation and the evolving experiences of African societies.
“There are quite a number of exhibitors here from the African continent, the entire continent,” he said.
“But even in Southern Africa itself has actually exhibited quite a lot. There is this lady from South Africa (Helen Sibidi), who I am told is turning 82 now.
“She has got some work, quite a massive array of work within this Arsenale. So, I am very much impressed by that. It also means that here in Zimbabwe we can even do better than what we are doing now. We have got the artists and we have got the know – how and the basics with which we can do better.
“So, we are here benchmarking, as I said yesterday. But am very much impressed about what our artists are doing and what the region is doing, also what the continent is doing. We have actually taken our place internationally, in the international world, that this is Africa and as Africa we can do it,” he said.
At the Arsenale Pavilion, Vice President Dr Mohadi also visited exhibitions by artists from Cameroon, South Africa, Kenya, Barbados, the United States of America, Brazil, among other countries.
The Vice President was accompanied by Permanent Secretary in his Office Dr Benson Dube, Minister of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture Anselem Sanyatwe, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Italy Ms Mietani Chauke and National Gallery of Zimbabwe executive director Raphael Chikukwa, who led the tour.
