Friends of the Gallery (F.O.G)

Friends of the Gallery monthly newsletter

April 2011

The Zimbabwe Pavilion at the Venice Biennale was officially launched on the 29th of March 2011 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe by the Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart. He was accompanied by Principal Director in the same office Reverend Paul Damasani. Zimbabwe’s participation at the biennale will not only afford the country the chance to be recognized globally but also for the world to appreciate the wealth of talent in Zimbabwe and Africa at large.

April is an exciting month at the National Gallery as we anticipate the start of HIIFA from the 26th to 1st of May. You are guaranteed of a mixture of musical shows, dramas performances and of course good food by local and international artists. The Gallery will be partnering with HIFA this year in curating the visual arts exhibition entitled ‘Beyond Borders: Re-questioning development and challenges in contemporary art practice in East and Southern Africa.’ This show seeks to examine the African Borders in post colonial Africa which have remained questionable with many African leaders talking about African Renaissance, Ubuntu, African Unity and African Union. On exhibition will be works by local and international artists from Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya, Germany, Zambia, Uganda, Italy and Sweden. Beyond Borders will take the whole Gallery space therefore all exhibitions currently on display will be up until HIFA kick-starts. You can still get a glimpse of Rebirth by Simba Jangano, Hope and Despair, a collection of Robert Paul’s paintings and Giving Voice to the Voiceless by American photographer Ed Kashi.

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe has a new Curator of Education Tashinga Matindike-Gondo. Her vision for the Department of Education is targeted at rejuvenating and rebuilding the desire to learn about visual art within Zimbabwe, with the main focus of cultivating a culture of art appreciation amongst the youth. From 2002 to 2003 Tashinga did her tertiary education at the University of Cape Town, Michaelis School of Art and graduated with a BA (Fine Arts) in New Media and was put on the Deans Merit List. From 2006 to 2009 she pursued her Master of Fine Art where she was awarded with a distinction.

The EU Auction was a success and 34 out of 54 works bought on the night. Proceeds will go to the National Gallery and artists. Amongst the guests were Ambassadors from Italy, Greece and the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe. The top earner of the night was Calvin Chimutuwah who sold two paintings Cradle II and Starry Circle followed by Victor Nyakauru for his mixed media sculpture Mbudzi neKambudzana. The winners of the EU exhibition Continental Dialogues were 1st prize Tafadzwa Gwetai, 2nd Boarding Dzinotizei and 3rd Daryl Nero.

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe in collaboration with Courteney Hotel are calling on all female artists in Zimbabwe to participate in an exhibition for women and by women. Interested individuals should create paintings of their choice guided by the theme Beauty of Creation particularly looking at the environment. For more information and collection of entry forms please visit the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and see the Exhibitions Officer.

Please note that the library will be closed to the public during the following times on the following days: Tuesday 26 April 08h00 – 14h00, Wednesday 27 April 08h00 – 14h00 and Thursday 28 April 08h00 – 14h00.