by Fungai Lupande Swerengoma Arts Production, a locally-based theatre and traditional dance outfit, is preserving unique and distinct traditional dances from different parts of the country to promote cultural tourism. Speaking after a sterling performance at the World Tourism Day commemorations last Saturday in Bindura, Swerengoma proprietor William Majuru said dance was an important part…
It is rare to find both husband and wife taking up stone sculpting as a career in the Zimbabwe Shona stone art sculpting industry. Both Elvis Mamvura and Lorraine Usayi Mamvura are seasoned sculptors in their own right and with different approaches, techniques, themes and stone/medium preferences. Elvis is the son to Albert Nathan Mamvura…
Zimbabwean stone sculptor David Ngwerume’s COVID-19 pandemic-inspired art is receiving international acclaim due to its unique way of reflecting the current dynamics facing the world. Since the beginning of this year, Ngwerume has used much of his time carving pandemic prevention messages in stone, capturing the world’s attention with his expressive artworks. After gaining the…
The 5th of February marks exactly ten years after the death of Fanizani Akuda. Together with other group members in the 1960s they started what we now appreciate as the Zimbabwe Contemporary Sculpture Movement. The journey they travelled as a group has been recorded and cherished in different circles and today Zimbabwe is recognized internationally…
The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected many lives that were being sustained by the inflow of international tourists visiting Zimbabwe. One of the tourist havens of note in Zimbabwe is the Majestic Victoria Falls rain forest. The Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world due to it being the largest…
Zimbabwe’s stone carving is as ancient as rock paintings of the San people who were hunters and gatherers living in caves or under cliffs. They migrated extensively in family groups throughout the Kalahari desert and the surrounding areas living thousands of rock paintings depicting animals and hunting scenes. They created effective stone weapons for big game…
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe celebrated Zimbabwe’s 40 years of independence by honoring 40 influential people who have made an impact in film, art, poetry, music, producers, performers, actors and directors. The National Arts Council used its platform (NAMA) National Arts Merit Awards to acknowledge, identify and reward such talent. Of particular interest is…
We do hope that we find you well and safe. We have revised our prices downwards in line with the pro-longed global COVID-19 pandemic. Please do take the time to visit our website www.avacarts.com and see if you like any of the available artworks. We have also introduced paintings and new artworks for your consideration.…
Starting from the 1st of March 2021, AVAC Arts is now offering free international shipping for all paintings purchased through our online store www.avacarts.com/ Delivery is made normally within 4 to 7 days. Paintings are normally folded into tubes for transportation unless framed. For more information please contact info@avacarts.com. Visit our Online Gallery …
With each fresh coat of paint, the old, brown garage wall comes to life. As the rust peels off, the painting of the mural becomes more vivid and Chako Shopping Centre in Zimbabwe’s eastern district of Chipinge is left abuzz. Petronella Charlie, a 21-year old upcoming artist and her peers use a combination of red,…
By Timothy Akuda The internationally recognised sculpture movement has to date lost 90 percent of its founding members. The movement which was started in the 1960s still stands strong and shows no signs of dying. To date we have lost crucial members like Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Bernard Matemera, Crispen Chakanyuka, Claud Nyanhongo, Fanizani Akuda, Albert Nathan…
Zimbabwe stone sculptures are made from natural stone that is usually polished with floor wax to make it shine. With continuous exposure to weather elements, the shine fades over time. This video is a simple guide on how to clean and restore a stone sculpture. Instead of heating the sculpture (after cleaning it with water…
Timothy AkudaThe legacy of the Takawira brothers, John, Bernard and Lazarus made immense contributions to the Zimbabwe Sculpture movement. Unfortunately with the death of the only remaining brother Lazarus that legacy in life comes to an end. However the legacy will continue to be celebrated in their stone sculptures as much as it will be…
It’s a new year and a new beginning. It`s that time of the year when you leave behind your previous year’s troubles and challenges, and embrace the new energy. It`s time to reset and refocus. Although it`s a new year with new promises, technically speaking nothing has changed except the date on the calendar. A…
[ All images © Chapungu Sculpture Park, harare, and may be used freely for any educational or scholarly purpose. All other uses require prior written permission.] By George P. Landow, Professor of English and Art History, Brown University Divergent Sources: The sculpture of contemporary Zimbabwe, which has achieved such reknown in Europe, America, and Australia, has…
Zimbabwean sculptors and players in the tourism sector have been amongst the hardest hit by the COVID-19 global pandemic. This is so because most of their clients were international clients. Victoria Falls as an example has basically turned into a ghost town living thousands unemployed. The Zimbabwean government has failed to cover sculptors in their…
Johnson Mugabe is an emerging Zimbabwean self taught paper collage artist based in Harare where he works from his home studio. He started drawing at an early age but never considered himself an artist up until he was in his early twenties when he stumbled upon paper collage art and fell in love with…
By Makanaka Masenyama Th Museum of African Liberation project spearheaded by emerging pan-African think tank, Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK) has been endorsed by most African states. Ambassadors from several African countries, UNESCO, Russia and senior Zimbabwe government officials attended the endorsement meeting in Harare. The meeting was held under the theme: ‘Rekindling the Spirit…
By Munashe Makuwe THE US embassy in Harare has praised the Zimbabwean film production, Shaina funded from its coffers. The New movie delivers powerful health messages through a compelling story about young Zimbabweans. Through the success of the “Inside Story” and “Lucky Specials”, USAID Collaborates with High Profile Zimbabwean actors to deliver a unique coming-of-age…
With flights across the world grounded and non-essential businesses shut amid COVID-19, Zimbabwe’s art industry which is highly dependent on tourists spending has been devastated. The COVID-19 pandemic stopped all tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe since the end of March when the Southern African country imposed a ban on nearly all incoming passenger flights. In the…