In praise of African art: How Shona sculpting emerged

By Percy Zvomuya Joseph Ndandarika, who was once described as one of the three greatest living stone sculptors. (Image courtesy of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe) In the act of remembering the Zimbabwean sculptor Lazarus Takawira, who died of Covid-related complications on 12 January, it is impossible not to talk about Frank McEwen, the founding director of…

Doreen Sibanda shares insights on the Zimbabwe visual art scene.

We passed through the National Gallery for the official opening of the exhibition “AtWork”. Mrs Doreen Sibanda, Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, shared some insights on the current state of the Zimbabwean visual art scene. Doreen believes that despite the difficulties Zimbabwe has been going through over the past few years, the…

Art a reflection of life: Doreen Sibanda

When a thirst for excellence conquers the heart of a virtuous woman, it drives her to leap over obstacles, break barriers, surpass expectations and be a pinnacle of inspiration to many. For decades, renowned artist, author, curator and prolific arts administrator Doreen Sibanda has persistently demonstrated a passion for progress, with her diligence cumulatively vindicating…

Zimbabwean Artists Exhibit At Dak’Art

The 13th Dakar Biennale, popularly known as Dak’Art, has returned for its 2018 edition. With an upsurge in valuable content and context from Zimbabwe, this cycle of the Biennale has three artists appearing, namely Kudzanai Chiurai, Admire Kamudzengerere and Dana Whabira. The exhibition features “We Need New Names”, Chiurai’s 2017 showing at the National Gallery…

Zimbabwean Museums Risk Collapse

NATIONAL Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) deputy director and chief curator, Raphael Chikukwa has said museums in the country risk collapse due to a raft of factors, including poor management and lack of funding. Chikukwa, who was speaking at a discussion on the future of African museums during the International Museums Day on Friday last week,…

Becoming Henri Munyaradzi

Henry Mudzengerere Munyaradzi is considered as the inward looking magus of Zimbabwe sculpture. Born in Guruve, in the north of Zimbabwe in 1931, Munyaradzi’s life and work is as deceptively simple as it is remarkable, hence a paradoxical salience is resultant from his body of work. He eventually worked in various ways with the natural…

National Gallery commemorates 60th anniversary

NATIONAL Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) on Friday last week launched The Perfect Coffee Table Book to mark the institution’s 60th anniversary. The book was meant to shed light on artworks by Zimbabwean artists and to serve as a source of key pointers on artistic careers and practices. NGZ conservation and collections manager, Lillian Chaonwa, said…

60 years of promoting visual art

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe has hosted about 1 000 exhibitions since its inauguration in July 1957. The first ever exhibition showcased at the Gallery was an enormous undertaking, involving the loan of many art objects from around the world, with most of the work coming from some of the world’s most prestigious galleries and…

Gallery to host ‘Zimbabwe in Design’ exhibition

At the Gallery The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is set to host the Zimbabwe -In design exhibition for the fourth time in a row. The exhibition which will officially open on the fourth of May focuses on six types of local design that are fashion, hair, architecture, material culture, graphic design (which includes vexillology) and…

Gallery sponsorship critical link to trade

The importance of businesses supporting the arts is not a frivolous pursuit. The arts play an important role and, when they thrive, it benefits not just the practitioners but also the country as a whole. In this economically driven world, the arts require adequate funding in order to thrive.

National Gallery of Zimbabwe marks 60 years of art

At the Gallery Officially opened in July 1957 the National Gallery of Zimbabwe quickly became a force to be reckoned with as it was renowned for being the best Gallery building in the world. The opening was broadcast by the BBC and a total of 181 press reports on the Gallery appeared in local and…

Zimbabwean art goes to Venice Bienalle 2017

At the Gallery The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is for the fourth time set to participate in the Venice Biennale next year. Zimbabwe’s first appearance was in 2011 and then it participated in 2013 and 2015. The National Gallery of Zimbabwe has a mandate to curate exhibitions locally and internationally, and the Venice Biennale is a vibrant…

Pablo Picasso And The Influence Of Zimbabwe Stone Sculpture

Today, Picasso art-works seem to have transcended time as his works continue to be some of the most sought after pieces in the world by both collectors and investors. A little known fact until recently, was where Picasso garnered some of his inspiration. It may come as a surprise, but Picasso was most certainly influenced…

Metal sculptor Arthur Azevedo exhibits new stlye

Sifting through the pages of catalogues from yesteryear, one is most likely to come across the name of an artist of great repute. This artist is Arthur Azevedo; a force that has exhibited here in Zimbabwe and abroad, with his stalwart style of metal sculpture being identifiable for its minimal use of material and maximisation…

Ife Masks By Traditional Artist of the Nigerian people

Ife masks imitated the human face as accurately and sensitively to bring out the feeling for harmony, balance and proportion. They are ceremonial masks with a great cultural and traditional significance in Africa and are considered amongst the finest creations in the art world. Thus, the masks are important instruments that aid in the consolidation…

National Gallery on artists empowerment stunt

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe will be hosting the Copyright workshop on the 7th of April 2015 for the artists. This was said by Rapheal Chikukwa a curator with the gallery who graced the stakeholders meeting held at Chitungwiza Arts Centre on the 31st of March 2015.