‘Live ‘n’ Direct’ from the National Gallery

Yes, a cool US$38 000, that’s the going price for Tazan Sithole’s “Victims of The Situation: Rape, Sexual Abuse, Violent Agenda, Economic Crisis, Domestic Violence and Self Dignity” in spring stone.
Danisile Ncube’s “Trust in No Nobles Exodus I”, in mixed media, is going for US$25 000 as well as Eddie Masaya’s “Hope or Resolutions” in spring stone.
The exhibition, named Live ‘n’ Direct, is motivated by the 2010 World Cup soccer fest which kicked off in South Africa last week and will run until the end of the tournament.
From cobalt stone sculptures to oil on canvass paintings and wire, the exhibition was a challenge to the artistes “to reflect deeply and produce cutting-edge work that speaks on being proudly Zimbabwean within the global context”.
Indeed, the exhibition is a story told with pride and excellence to visitors that are expected to spill into the country throughout the duration of the World Cup tournament.
Both the known and unheralded artistes have a piece each on display each unique in its own way, but what this exhibition has purposefully managed to do, the only one to be held at the gallery this year, is ooze the best in Zimbabwe’s creative art.
Though the exhibition is not running under a theme, the works on display depict the socio-political environment the country went through during the past decade — from the edgy land reform programme, through the fuel and cash shortages to the political settlement of today, the Global Political Agreement that ushered in the inclusive government in 2009.
By walking through the gallery, one is bound to conclude that it has indisputably cut the monotony of one-man exhibitions by putting the works of various artistes at the same place at the same time.
Some of the captivating works include Peter Chikumbirike’s “Dressing Dancer”, a life-size sculpture in cobalt stone going for (US$2 000). This is a masterpiece of a woman which would definitely do for your bedroom.
Calvin Chimutuwa’s “Juvenile Perspective”, oil on canvass painting (US$1 200). The bright painting depicts children scribbling on broken doors as chalkboards using charcoal.
“Pakabudei” by Virginia Chihota (US$12 000), a textile design serigraph, is vividly noticeable by the arrangement of chairs and a red carpet depicting a gathering or conference if you like.
But also Johnson Zuze’s “Reflection Eternal” (not priced), a wire work. This shows the frame of man made from wire and is attached to electric cables. The cheapest piece is going for US$200; however, this does not necessarily mean it is the least interesting of the works on display.
In a statement on the exhibition, the National Gallery says it “hopes to inspire the group of high-flying local businesspeople . . . to begin their own private collections from the Live ‘n’ Direct offering”.
“Live ‘n’ Direct seeks to uplift the visual arts sector’s status, which has been declining due to lack of patronage, the economic decline and absence of hosting major exhibitions in the country,” it says.
The exhibition is a collaborative affair created by the National Gallery, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Spanish Embassy, Culture Fund Trust, Greenwood Park Eye Centre and the Kingdom Financial Holdings Limited.