National Gallery of Zimbabwe: New home of pop culture
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is fast becoming Harare’s new home of pop culture. In recent days the Gallery has played host to the who-is-who of local and international pop culture and has become the most sought out venue for pop and mature entertainment.
Last week, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe was one of the first stop in Mega-star Akon’s tour of Harare.

Flanked by a swarm of fans that literally had to be kept from tearing down the fence of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Akon spent the better part of an hour being acquainted to Zimbabwe’s visual arts.

His superstar status was proved worthy by the crowd that loyally waited for him outside the Gallery as he toured the Gwanza exhibition.   The photography exhibition titled Women Trajectories illustrates has attracted some of Southern Africa’s leading and promising names in the photographic profession. With his knowledge and familiarization of the African culture, Akon displayed a passion for art as the Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe Mrs. Doreen Sibanda accompanied him and explained the essence behind visual art.

The megastar fell for a stone sculpture titled Lovers, a unique lepidolite silhouette of lovers done by Owen Mariga, son of the legendary father of the stone sculpture movement Joram Mariga.

In June the National Gallery played host to the songbird and one of Africa’s most acclaimed female vocalists, Yvonne Chaka Chaka who was in the country to commemorate the Day of the African Child. The National Gallery of Zimbabwe has over the past few months become home to young talent in fashion, music and poetry through the Days of the Month fun days held at the beginning of each month.