adminLovemore Meya Arts Correspondent
One of the country’s top visual artists Portia Zvavahera is sailing on cloud nine after having her exquisite works gOt a nod to be part of on an ongoing exhibition at Cape Gallery in Cape Town, South Africa. This follows Zvavahera’s impressing works, she showcased at the 2nd Zimbabwe Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale in Italy.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe curator Raphael Chikukwa said Michael Stevenson of Cape Gallery saw Portia’s works in Italy and was very impressed.
“After the Venice Biennale, Stevenson came to Zimbabwe to meet Portia and now they are working together,” said Chikukwa.
“This is a good development that a young artist goes to Venice and gets international recognition.
“It is my hope that more international gallery owners will keep coming and working with our talent,” he said.
Chikukwa highlighted that 2014 is a year with a difference since the gallery is expecting other international artists, curators and scholars to visit the country.
These include Christine Eyene (UK) and Jorg Scheller (Switzerland) who are expected to come for different projects.
He said, having known Stevenson for many years, as one of the top gallerists in Africa, he saw his gesture as a good move.
When Stevenson came to Zimbabwe, Chikukwa took him on a tour of the gallery and he later promised to donate art books from his gallery.
He honoured his promise before Christmas and more than 50 books arrived at the gallery and are now part of the gallery’s library.
Since the country’s debut exhibition at the Venice Biennale, a number of international curators have visited the country.
“This is a sign that we must not get tired and we should continue working harder and be a place where international contemporary art players look at, like what has happened since 2010.
“As local artists we must not despair, for Rome was not built in one day. I say we are slowly reclaiming our international place,” said Chikukwa.
Born on March 22, 1985 Zvavahera attended Oriel Girls High in Harare, where she completed her secondary education.
On recognising her passion, and talent for art, she applied for a course at BAT National Gallery Visual Arts Studios, which she attended from 2003 to 2004.
She has been one of the most active visual artistes and has participated at various international exhibitions.
Online Reporter