Current Exhibitions :
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ZIMBABWE PRESENTS:

Mavambo
National Gallery of Zimbabwe Visual Arts Studio end of year exhibition

‘A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing’ William Dobell.

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe and the Norwegian Embassy take pleasure in exhibiting yet again artworks by final year students from the National Gallery Visual Arts Studios entitled ‘Mavambo’. The guest speaker at the opening of the exhibition will be Mr. Toi Kubberud, Counsellor of the Norwegian Embassy.

The embassy has been a pillar of support to the Visual Arts School for many years through nurturing potential artists in skills, knowledge and quality. The theme has been interpreted from different views such as; history of writing, culture, life and death. Mavambo is also the giving of new life to the art industry, transforming and setting new records through their work as well as searching for a personal identity.

Some of the works which are going to be showcased represent the everyday life in the sense that the beginning of anything can start after an end of something and that life and death are separated only by a thin line.

“Through the skills acquired by the students during their three year course they managed to put reality to the extraordinary. Colour, techniques and style are employed to portray the energy within the works,” said the Gallery’s Education Officer about the works. The theme results in various artworks such as paintings, stone and metal sculptures and drawings. Felistas Mashonganyika’s body of work interrogates social issues affecting women.

Her standing point is lifestyles followed by promiscuity then pregnancy and the newly born baby, all marking a particular beginning. In one particular painting Felistas illustrates a man and a woman getting intimate and are there afterwards caught by one of their spouses. The painting provokes prostitution between couples and indicates the beginning of illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and STIs. Thus, the painting serves as a warning to people. For these youngsters art means an opportunity to dwell on sensitive issues people are afraid to talk about.

‘Kutanga Kugeza Ndega’ and ‘The Dialogue’ by Gabriel Nedy, implies a new beginning, stepping out off one’s shell and moving beyond being a passive artist to become active in paving way to the establishment of better and well developed art.

The 55 pieces of work put on exhibition were selected out off 112 works submitted by 18 students. This year’s selection was based on individual growth and the best being chosen for every artist.  It is the students’ hope that their works provide valuable contribution to society and industry.