Unique Weya art on display

Over 30 works from 15 Weya artists are featured in the exhibition.
The artists are from the Weya Community Training Centre, in Chiendambuya, some 170km outside Harare on the way to Mutare.
Themes explored by these artists include, HIV, village life, land, water shortage, hunting, agriculture, and transport problems in both urban and rural settings. Using old pieces of fabrics Weya artists create these rural and urban scenes in tight-knitted compositions. Visiting the artists in their home studio settings, the curator was impressed with their use of textile in their art. Old pieces of fabrics are given a new lease of life in an artistic way.
The NGZ says that “their (Weya artists) creative energy is what makes this exhibition special”.
“The weaving, appliqué, and embroidery is traditionally a female domestic activity, associated with a practical purpose rather than the gallery walls. These works confront this conception and it remains our hope that the tradition will survive as along as institutions like the NGZ continue to create a platform for these women,” the NGZ says.
The artists – Leticia Mukunyanyemba, Precious Rinomhota, Ceresencia Chibaya, Ednight Mugure, Joicy Sibanda, Maziweni Mapuranga, Albertina Nyamagorongga, Irene Mutanga, Lineet Mukwena, Gladys Chigayi, Gadiosa Nehanda, Faina Shonge, Irene Karuva, Tendai Dande and Rache Feremba – use different mediums that include, appliqué, sadza paintings and embroidery. Their extraordinary works are showing in the East Gallery and they represent the vision of the Weya artists and reflect more on their way of life in the community
Irene Karuva and her furniture piece show how innovative these artists have become despite the limitation of art materials. Irene’s scenes of houses and garden transcend the domestic to explore our habitat and environment.
Nature’s intricate structure and patterns have been an inspiration for most of the Weya artists. Weya art has no preparatory drawings and this allows their patterns to develop spontaneously.
According to some of the organisations that have been working with Weya artists, many of the artists have migrated to the city because of the

hardships and those that have remain in Chiendambuya are dedicating most of their time to tobacco farming.. Through serious engagement Weya artists will continue to show throughout the world and their narratives will change the world.
The exhibition is curated by Raphael Chikukwa.
Meanwhile, the NGZ is presenting its first major survey in Zimbabwe of drawings by Rashid Jogee, a Bulawayo based artist, whose drawings have been described as “delightfully minimalistic”. Located in the Courtlaud Gallery, the exhibition Rashid Jogee: Lifeline, presents the full range of Rashid’s drawing practice from the past three decades of the artist’s career.
Every brush stroke speaks volumes about the female figure and the artist’s seasoned ability to capture its essence.
The exhibition features 39 drawings, of which none have been on public display. The show is running until April 9.