admincorps to give a feedback on their participation at the grand event in Italy.
The event was hosted by the British Council, which together with several local and international organisations, made the visit of the four artists possible.
Venice Biennale is the world’s most prestigious international forum for contemporary art.
Held every two years in the city of Venice, it draws an international audience of approximately 500 000 and showcases the latest developments in contemporary art forms around the world.
And for the first time, four of Zimbabwe’s prolific artists had an opportunity to represent Zimbabwe at the first ever National Pavilion of Zimbabwe at this premier arts event.
Calvin Dondo, Misheck Masamvu, Berry Bickle and Tapfuma Gutsa’s works were presented in the mediums of painting, photography, video installation and sculpture.
In welcoming the artists, British Council director Jill Coates said her organisation’s decision to support Zimbabwe’s participation in Italy was a result of good relations that exists between the council and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe since 1957.
“The British Council’s relationship with the gallery goes back almost as long as it did in 1957, when Frank McEwen, cultural attache at the British Council in Paris, was appointed to be the director of the new institution then called the Gallery of Rhodesia.
“So this project brings together as it does, two long standing partners to create a groundbreaking project in the field of visual of arts, I think the best of what we can achieve,” she said.
Speaking at the British Council cocktail, National Gallery of Zimbabwe curator Raphael Chikukwa said Zimbabwe’s presence at the Biennale was an eye opener for artists from the world over, who had always wanted to familiarise themselves with the country’s art.
“The Zimbabwe Pavilion at the Venice Biennale was pivotal in establishing a platform after being isolated for many years.
“Our visibility at the Biennale was quite profound. It also provided us with an opportunity to spark discussions and debate about the role of artists in a society,” he said.
Chikukwa paid tribute to the British Council, Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture and several international organisations for the assistance they gave to ensure the success of project.
“It has been quite humbling to hear that to date 20 000 people have since walked through the pavilion and I can imagine how many more will have an opportunity to marvel at our art before the Biennale ends,” he said. The Venice Biennale opened on June 1 and runs until the end of November.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter