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School, Nora, Zimbabwe, in 1978. He studied visual art at the BAT Visual Art Studios in Harare, and has exhibited in numerous group exhibitions, including the Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibitions from 1988 to the late 2000s.
In 1994, aged 27, the artist received an “Award of Merit” for graphics from the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. In his work the artist displays a deceptively facile draughtsmanship – which is not as easy as it appears but is as a result of arduous and consistent artistic studies of the ordinary Zimbabwean person in their habitat.
In his solo exhibition, currently showing at Gallery Delta, Witikani captures pastoral and urban life portraits in fluid colourful brush strokes that capture the essence, beauty and life pattern of his subjects.
As an artist, he takes liberties with many aspects of the seen world; through his use of colour and simplification of form. Aesthetically, Witikani’s painterly concern with what colours the objects reflect and how light and shade are related on his subjects distinguish him as a technically competent artist able to summon the intrinsic beauty and interest of the subjects he paints.
He captures pastoral and urban life portraits in fluid vibrant brush strokes that capture the essence and life of his subjects. As an artist, he takes liberties with many aspects of the seen world; through his use of colour and simplification of form.
His works contain the main defining elements of what is quintessentially Zimbabwean, in the human mannerisms and poses of his subjects. In his works of art the humility and modest gestures of the typical rural Zimbabwean woman are captured in contrast to the confident and audacious poses of the city urbanites.
His mastery of two-dimensional tonal and colour pattern enhance his linear perspective, subject and composition, as can be seen in his works which is slightly reminiscent of the “Abandoned Farmlands, 2010” — a commentary on the Land reclamation.
Witikani’s paintings have over the years become collectors’ items, due to their unpretentious and legible documentary of pastoral and city life in Zimbabwe.
Collectors from Euro-America, Asia and Africa have marvelled at his visual gift. His highly collectible painterly documentaries of the country and its people have become ideal investments for offices, homes and corporations.
Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Art Theory and Philosophy and a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) in Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. He is a writer, musician, art critic, practising artist and corporate image consultant.
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