Such is the boisterous nature of art that in every work produced a story is told, time is frozen, experiences are shared, lessons are taught and history is made. Almost 50 years later the story of Zimbabwean art continues to unfold as many new artists come to the fore as they continue the legacy that has been left behind by their masters.

The works on exhibition from the Gallery’s Permanent Collection are a continuous thread of the inspiration invested in the young artists. We take for instance the similarity between Helen Lieros’ painting Christ Untitled and some of Virginia Chihota’s work. The two works go on to show that Virginia passed through the capable hands of a master artist.

The purpose of the exhibition is to show appreciation of each artist’s work from the 1980s to most recently. Significant artists’ works on exhibition include John Takawira, Sylvester Mubayi, Tapfuma Gutsa and Brighton Sango stretching to the younger artists such as Masimba Hwati, Gareth Nyandoro and Misheck Masamvu.

Food for thought is aimed to showcase common concerns. Looking closer to home the economic situation experienced in the last few years has been given much attention by artists. It has also been a blessing in disguise for artists as their work will be used as a point of reference in the future to tell Zimbabwe’s story through the artists’ eyes.

The collection reveals the hidden influences and benchmarks set by older artists who have collectively shaped art as we know it today. The seven artists offer a gritty face to issues that are bursting out to be heard, be they social, political, aesthetic or economic. The artists are streetwise witnesses to our time and ask us to introspect and face realities affecting us.

The paintings, drawings and sculptures will show the direction and form of works of art executed through the decades. For years art has played an integral part in creating harmony and encouraging reflections on social identity. The works fervently continue to reveal a new energy that is particularly evident in some of the stone pieces, abstract, figurative paintings and the use of mixed media.