Fine cuisine, fine art

There was little attempt at engagement or explanation but rather the expectation of church like reverence in spite of its airy, light-filled design. It’s very different now – partly because I’ve grown up – but also because over the past couple of decades, serious efforts have been made to make the Gallery more welcoming to the public and more inviting for locals and visitors to participate and appreciate the visual arts.
The expressed Vision of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe is ‘To explore and express the essence of Zimbabwean identity through the visual arts.’ Currently the country has three National Galleries – in Harare, in Bulawayo and in Mutare. The Nati-onal Gallery in Harare was opened in 1957 in a building custom built for its purpose.  Exhibition spaces are on different levels with huge plate glass windows letting in natural light. Both Bulawayo and Mutare galleries are housed in historical buildings but also filled with light to showcase the art.
These days the Gallery offers much more than only exhibitions. They maintain an open door policy which has seen them host book launches, fashion shows, film screenings and musical evenings as well as guided tours through specific exhibitions and permanent collections for school parties and members of the public.
On Valentine’s Day the Gallery opened its ground floor exhibition space for a celebration of dance for One Billion Rising, a global campaign calling for an end to violence against women. A large group of women and men from all walks of society gathered to dance for a couple of hours at lunch time supported by drummers and professional dancers. It was high energy stuff that got our blood pumping while poetry and readings kept our emotions high and reminded us why abuse of women must end.
The exhibition surrounding us was a display of photographs by Camer-oonian Samuel Fosso – who specialises in self portraits. He poses himself in different guises, as a leader, a chief, a femme fatale, a soldier, a golfer, a top executive. One of his favourites shows himself as an African chief, in a Mobutu-like pose sitting in a western chair with a leopard skin cover and a bouquet of sunflowers. “This picture. It really sums up what I am trying to say about African-ness, about western cliches. And it’s ironic.” A vibrant space for expression was opened – in emotion, in movement, in sound, in images and the room felt full of creative impulse and common purpose.
All that high energy dancing left me hungry but the Gallery Café had been doing a roaring trade and the lunchtime buffet was almost finished. Luckily there remained a couple of plates of beef stroganoff pie and it was extremely good. Luscious under a golden brown puff pastry crust, it was an ample portion and well seasoned, needing no addition at the table. Served with salad – different leaves dressed with  toasted pumpkin seeds – and a glass of lemonade it was a perfect lunch for US$10. 
Tucked in to the back of the Gallery, the Café  overlooks the sculpture garden and offers all day tea, coffee, excellent toasted sandwiches, cakes and delicious lunch between 12 and 2pm. Only instant coffee unfortunately and I hope that soon there will be a coffee machine to add cappuccinos to the menu.
The Gallery Shop is another good reason to hang out downtown with its interesting selection of art gifts and books. Visit the National Gallery        virtually at http://www.nationalgallery.co.zw or drop by in person.
– g.jeke@yahoo.com