Gwanza 2011 photo exhibition opens at National Gallery of Zim

The exhibition, in its twelfth year and will run until September 4 under the theme “Pimp My Kombi”, brings together 15 photographers selected by London-based curator, Christine Eyene, who brings with her a new curatorial vision.
Pimp My Kombi, a theme suggested by NGZ curator, Raphael Chikukwa, “proposes to explore the kombi (or mini-bus) as a marker of vernacular aesthetics and cultural codes, as well as a vehicle defining both urban landscape and social space throughout Africa”.
According to a statement by Eyene, this year’s selection has paid close attention to the documentary relevance, technical quality and aesthetic value of the work submitted by local photographers “who have shown great creativity and originality in their approach of the theme”.
“Pimp My kombi will highlight works by southern and East African photographers to foster dialogue within and beyond Zimbabwean borders,” Eyene said.
The Gwanza Month of Photography was founded in 1999 by acclaimed Zimbabwean photographer, Calvin Dondo, and is run by Gwanza Arts, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the development and promotion of photography.
Gwanza Month of Photography is the biggest annual photography exhibition in Zimbabwe and provides a platform for interaction between local and international photographers
Eyene said a presentation of Gwanza 2011 will be held on October 7 at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris as part of the roundtable – The Studio and the World – in conjunction with Photoquai – Biennial of World Images she co-curates.
Gwanza 2011 is supported by the NGZ, British Council, Culture Fund, HIVOS, Spanish Embassy and Cuban Embassy.