Back to Index

Chitown artists get opportunity to exhibit
Simbarashe Manhango, The Standard (Zimbabwe)
May 29, 2011

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/entertainment/29942-chitown-artists-get-opportunity-to-exhibit.html

Visual artists in Chitungwiza will get an opportunity to exhibit their works and expose their artistic flair in their own neighbourhood for the first time, courtesy of the Chitungwiza Publicity Association. Handcrafted wire and beads jewelry is a form of art that has existed for thousands of years and has a traceable history. In Zimbabwe this work has started to gain popularity and appreciation, marking a drift from the famous stone sculpture.

"The sole idea is promoting, marketing and exposing the less known wire, jewellery and bead work by artists in Chitungwiza," said Lerxy Mrewa the Director of Chitungwiza Publicity Association.

Several artists that will be showcasing their works on this exhibition premiered their works at this year's Harare International Festival of Arts (Hifa) during the opening at the National Art Gallery.

Zindoga Maisiri, one of the prominent Chitungwiza visual artists, crafter and painter will be part of the exhibition.

In an interview with Standard - Life&Style, Maisiri said that as an artist this was one of the rare opportunities he wished other artists could embrace to market and expose themselves.

"This exhibition is not all about just showcasing art but also to disseminate comprehensive information for the sustainable socio-economic growth and development of the artists," said Maisiri.

The country's leading visual artists Dominic Benhura and David Chinyama have been invited to the exhibition.

Prominent art galleries in the country including the National Art Gallery will also be part of this exhibition.

Mrewa said this exhibition was unique in its own way and was complemented by the participation of women and the handicapped, a clear sign that the organisation is thriving to maintain gender balance and fairness.

Female artists expected to showcase their works include upcoming and arguably some of the finest jewellery artists, Caroline Tugwete and Alice Chigumbura.

Handicapped Mernas Mukuwiri will also be part of the bead work artists set to exhibit.

The exhibition is being sponsored by various organisations that include Meikles Hardware, Kingdom Bank, Chitungwiza Informal Sector Association, Mbizi Nite Club, Shinda Corner and Purity Milling.

Awards will be given out on the last day of the exhibition to honour outstanding artists. Winners will be selected through viewers' votes. All the participating artists will be given tools of their trade courtesy of Meikles Hardware and prize money is being offered by Chitungwiza Informal Sector Association.

Kingdom Bank has offered to open Mircoking accounts for all the winning artists.

Shinda Corner will assist with prizes including the artists materials, beads, twine and wire.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP