Rare printmaking exhibition opens

Over 60 pieces relating to the theme Zviro Zviyedzwa (Exploration is a Necessity) were chosen from works submitted by a number of emerging artistes, and by mid-career artistes who have already achieved successes at home and abroad. Titles such as Lake Chivero Fish, My African Queen, Temptations and Patiently Waiting, all suggest the familiar images and typical emotions encountered and felt by both Zimbabwe’s rural people and city dwellers alike.
Among the invited guests who sped through wintry sunshine in the westerly direction to attend the opening of the exhibition, were Derek Huggins, director of Gallery Delta, and the well-known artiste, Helen Lieros.
Huggins, a familiar figure in the art world, opened the proceedings. He spoke knowledgably about printmaking and acknowledged the efforts made by Dzimbanhete to provide workshops for artistes and a platform to display their art.
Patron of the arts, Amai Angeline Kamba, appeared impressed with the display of art, as were Maria Moya Goetsche, Ambassador, and Rainer Sulzberger, first secretary and consul, from the Austrian Embassy. A large group of students from the National Gallery Visual Arts workshop also travelled out from the city in a large kombi, which took them back home when the proceedings and party were over.
In general, little is known about the process of printmaking, although works by some of the world’s greatest artists, such as Durer, Rembrandt and Goya, are prints. The standard materials used in creating a print have been wood, metal or stone. At its simplest, a cut potato can be used. In 2008, Namibian artiste, Papa Shikongeni, showed how prints could be made using cardboard, at a workshop held at Dzimbanhete.
Some well-established sculptors tried their hand at printmaking for the first time. Tafadzwa Marekera’s Exhumation in Mount Darwin is a beautifully detailed stone print in black and white. In Watching the Sun by Albert Wachi, a delightful composition in warm tones of orange and yellow, a family of three lean against a brick wall, relaxing in the warm sunshine.
Gareth Nyandoro never fails to impress. The persona in his deep-hued cardboard print, Religious Confusion, glance uncertainly at each other, as they ponder and question their beliefs. n Munyaradzi Mazarire’s lino cut, Matigimu’s Dream, the sleeper rests peacefully on his Shona pillow, while celestial bodies float above his head in a deep blue sky.
Portia Zvavahera illustrates her customary skill in the large screen print, Kuuya Ndakarara (Coming in my Sleep) while Virginia Chihota’s mono type print, Ndakatotanga Kufamba (I Started Moving On) typifies the resilience of the many Zimbabweans who need to adjust to changing circumstances.
Shepherd Mahufe has returned to the art scene with his delightful wood cuts entitled Miss Zimbabwe 1, 2 and 3. This seasoned artiste appears equally at home with the broad brush strokes of his painted canvases, and the careful intricacies required when printmaking.
Refreshments and snacks were provided by the Austrian Embassy. Wine and soft drinks were served, and the guests eagerly devoured trays of samoosas and miniature schnitzels. After an elegantly served slice of chocolate cake, it was time to get down with the marimba and mbira players on the verandah.
For the second year in succession, Dzimbanhete had put on a successful printmaking exhibition. If funding becomes available in 2012, next year should be even better.