Of Art – writing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, film, photography, theatre and music; Of Emigrants and Immigrants…Zimbabwe to the World, at home, and in the Diaspora..

#allthingsconnected is my mantra … it’s the tail end of 2024 and the beginnings of 2025 (with a Zimbabwean family Christmas in-between) and everything I read or experience seems to emphasis the power of connectedness between Zimbabwe and the diaspora ..

Diaspora (noun) .. the dispersion or spread of a people from their original homeland.

Peter Kaunda, founder of the powerful Artillery Gallery in Harare, (now sadly closed), says, “I wonder whether you’ve heard the saying, “If you hang around rats long enough, eventually you will begin to smell like one”… Well, it appears I may have hung around artists long enough to turn into one – a literary artist.’…. Peter says, ‘Ultimately, writing is a conversation trigger’…, and the new brand that he’s building is called “The Thought Trigger”

In his latest thought provoking blog, “Optimising the Zimbabwean Diaspora Population. The power of compounding our national effort’, Peter compares our Zimbabwean population, within Zimbabwe and within the diaspora, to a bee colony... truly worth the read and definitely an interesting analagy.

Every morning at our Kaya Nyala plot on the banks of the Save River, I awake in our open-sided, second-hand unzippable tent, and listen in the dark predawn to a hive of wild African bees humming in their nest in the large tree above us…..

Scientifically speaking, an organism, a living being, is composed of multitudes of cells organized into various roles to create organs such as liver, heart and skin which themselves support the total organism. I lie in bed as the sky lightens and as the bees start their day, and I ponder whether the bee colony is actually the ‘living being’, with the thousands of participating bees all acting as individual cells much like the cells in to human bodies, each supporting the bigger picture of the successful organism …..

Peter suggests ways for Africa to resolve its own problems using its own resources to benefit its own people, recognizing our hard working citizens in the diaspora. He says, ‘Rather than suffering brain drain, we could translate it to a gain…..we certainly have all that it takes to leapfrog our country and the continent at large to a desirable state, more so with these vast populations of Africans being exposed to the developed world; The world is our oyster!‘

My own thoughts on Immigration, Emigration are such that I could describe the whole history of this world within those two simple words…!! We are ALL, in some way or other, emigrants or immigrants depending on the chances of fate, and each in our own way has something, perhaps unrecognized but nevertheless important, to contribute, back to our original place or in our new space…. not just us humans, but the living multitude of animal and plants species that populate and colonize our earth… indigenous and non indigenous alike. Often the ‘exotics’ are maligned, stigmatized, ostracized, ‘weeded out’, but have unexpected and truly valuable contributions to make to their adopted and adapted niches in the world …such as my favourite example, the ubiquitous Jacaranda Tree, migrated/imported from South and Central America and beautifully naturalized in Africa and other parts of the world. This fantastically coloured tree has become an icon in the suburbs and main streets of African cities, town and rural areas alike… it supports colonies of contented, nectar-drugged bees, and inspires photographers, poets, artists and even radio stations (Jacaranda FM in Jozi), music festivals (Jacaranda Music Festival Harare) to constantly try to capture its particular unique purpleness…

Plus Jacaranda trees provide lovely supple wood for carving and picture frames, (such as my favourite Christmas African animals that always adorn my own wire baobab tree, delightful carvings by the talented Ndubeko, Brian Ndlovu and Donald Sibanda of Jacarandell in Bulawayo….)

Jacarandas often inspire my abstract landscapes, and even our dear fierce Helen Lieros of Gallery Delta admitted to me that if she absolutely had to like a “jacaranda” painting, this one of mine which I, tongue-in-cheek, showed her, would actually be the one…

Before we depart from the subject of ‘migrant’ Jacarandas, here is a detail from another one of my large Jacaranda paintings, called Dead Wasp, with my poem reflecting on the status of ‘immigrants ‘ in their new homes, and of course, a dead wasp to emphasis the bigger picture of the ecosytems all around us wherever we are…. can’t resist that colour purple…

Moving on from Jacarandas and dead wasps, but still with bees, Richard Mudariki, ArtHARARE, is a prime example of a ‘bee’ – working hard, busy and buzzing within the Zimbabwean colony – a Zimbabwean in the ‘diaspora’ of Cape Town who supports his Zimbabwean roots and African art with his painting, his writings and his ArtHARARE gallery recently opened there. Currently running is the group art exhibition, L.I.N.K

Richard will open Vakuru Vekare Vaiti – Legacy Reimagined, 21 Feb – 21 March 2025 at the Art HARARE gallery in Cape Town- a juxtaposition of older shona stone sculptors and contemporary… Wjew, that will be powerful, reflecting the vast wealth of shona sculpture tradition at home and in the diaspora…!.

Plus ArtHARARE will create a brave new innovative art offering at Investec in February, titled 2025 Artists Election … a non-political election by the voting public, of African artists!! Attracting “ART” voters to participate, at home in Africa and across the diaspora, physically and online, this will be very intruding as it unfolds; #allthingsconnected …so watch this space…

Richard blogs regularly under his brand Artweb – follow this link for his great article– celebrating the appointment of Koyo Kouoh (Zeitz Mocca Museum) as curator of the 2026 Venice Biennale – Africa to the World!!!

Zimbabwe to the world… Thinking Global but Acting Local. Many Zimbabwean visual artists ‘give back’ constantly.. such as Moffat Takadiwa who exhibits internationally and works locally with his talented Mbare Art Space team, nurturing young art talent and hosting cultural events and workshops. And many other individuals and collaborations are fueling the fire, feeding the force of Zimbabwean creativity!!

I would surely call Moffat a G.O.A.T (greatest of all time)

Here are a few more traditional and more alternative initiatives that come to my mind, (and so many more to mention, watch this space…) such as Valerie Kabov and Marcus Gora of First Floor Gallery Harare, a respected beacon for Zimbabwean contemporary art, and who collaborate across various disciplines to empower the arts within and without Zimbabwe- (such as the Gourd of Consciousness Anthology of Multilingual Poetry and Visual Art which has been compiled by Khumbulani Bandula Muleya and featuring art from First Floor Gallery artists…)

At First Floor Gallery, “Messe Messe” is currently showing- a group exhibition celebrating such togetherness and art synergy.

And so many more, such as: Helen Matsvisi, Evelyn and Admire who run Nhaka Gallery, ex Gallery Delta. Admire Kamudzengerere and Tanyse van Vuuren who parent the vibrant Animal Farm and Artist Residency. Julie Taylor of Guns & Rain Gallery, Jozi, a Zimbawean who supports many Zimbabwean artists, Madlozi Gallery (Beathur Magoza Baker), who supports Zimbabwean and other African artists. Bronwen Evans, artist and creator of the Contemporary African Art website CAA. Laura Fungai Ganda of the Creative Lounge Trust. Georgina Maxim vibrant soft fibre artist who weaves the world with her creations and who, with her painter husband Misheck Masamvu, mentor the Village Unhu creatives. Millie McPhie who publishes the Design/Life magazine and who has recently birthed the DPA Art Gallery, (she will be hosting an inaugural Cape Town exhibition, “First Light”, from 18-23 February 2025, to coincide with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair.). Vongai Sibanda who advances contemporary art with African Born Art Movement, ABAM. (Cheuka Harare Art Fair (CHAF) to launch in February 2025, is a collaboration between ABAM, Post Studio Arts Collective and The Mapondera Collection). Various artist collectives and shared studio spaces such as Tarisai Art Studios, Dzimbanhete and Chitungwiza Arts Collective stage pop up shows such as the Nhimbe art exhibition that was held at Chikwanha Hotel in Chitungwiza end of 2024. ZICCA, the Zimbabwe Creative & Cultural ARTS, who exhibit in Old Greatermans Building. Batsirai Muskwe who generously shares his own art/print processes, travels the world and sources art materials for Zimbabwean artists at home. Art@84 in Harare who embrace various artists to display in group exhibitions. The new Loft 3 Gallery Space in Harare, open to all as a well lit rental space . Amanzi Contemporary Art, based in Harare, collects, collaborates and curates African art. Strauss & Co are investing more into entering the Zimbabwean art stage. The Young Collectors, including Ropa (Ishe on Lorna) and administrator Peggy Mapondera- are a dynamic group of art inspired collectors and artists mostly in Zimbabwe who further awareness and appreciation of collecting artworks. Karabo Morule who has created Capital Art – a valuable art investment data base. Alliance Française of Bulawayo and of Harare tirelessly espouse the arts, as do the various embassies within Zimbabwe. Jo Powell and Josefina who own Bepa Gallery…

Leading curators making waves are such as Merilyn Mushakwe and Tandazani Dhlakama. Raphael Chikukwa, Fadzai Muchemwa and Valerie Sithole of the Zimbabwe National Gallery in Harare and Victoria Falls curate exhibitions that reframe Zimbabwean art to challenge local and global audiences. And the use of space in the National Gallery as a stage for poetry, film, workshops, music and dance events is a welcome layering of culture, adding even more value to this imposing space.

At the stunning Bulawayo National Gallery, Pan Africanism is foremost- a belief that African people both on the continent and in the diaspora share not only a common history but a common destiny.

An exhibition revolving around the concept of reed mats, (Icansi, Ndebele) attracts my attention…

Icansi are given to a young bride as a send-off package to her new life. Each design is conveying culture: stories of adulthood, sexuality and virginity, maturity..Bokani has contemplated this common place object and reinvented it… giving it power in the diaspora and at home.

Richard has written an Artweb blog to see us into 2025.. a list celebrating Zimbabwean art creatives…

Here is Richard’s list, again by no means complete in celebrating all of the creative Zimbabweans at home and in the diaspora, but a great jump off to appreciating the wealth of passion and talent we share…

POWER 100 Zimbabwe

• Portia Zvavahera 
  
• Moffat Takadiwa 
  
• Troy Makaza .
  
• Virginia Chihota
  
• Kudzanai Violet Hwami
  
• National Gallery of Zimbabwe
  
• Mbare Art Space
  
• artHARARE
  
• Nhaka Gallery
  
• Laura Ganda
  
• Richard Mudariki
  
• Gresham Tapiwa Nyahude
  
• Helen Teede
  
• Raphael Chikukwa
  
• Gareth Nyandoro
  
• Mostaff Muchawaya
  
• Dan Halter
  
• Wallen Mapondera
  
• Terence Musekiwa
  
• Tafadzwa Tega
  
• Misheck Masamvu
  
• Fadzai Muchemwa
  
• Kreshia Mukwazhi
  
• Admire Kamudzengerere
  
• Xanthe Somers
  
• Ronald Muchatuta
  
• Wycliff Mundopa
  
• Tapfuma Gutsa
  
• Tafadzwa Gwetai
  
• Greg Shaw
  
• Georgina Maxim
  
• Tawanda Takura
  
• Olly French
  
• Valerie Kabov
  
• Epheas Maposa,
  
• Nyasha Marovatsanga,
  
• Kenmore Maruta
  
• Amanda Mushate
  
• Anne-Zanele Mutema
  
• Evans Tinashe Mutenga
  
• Duncan Wylie
  
• Tamary Kudita
  
• Fungai Marima
  
• Lin Barrie
  
• Raymond Fuyana
  
• Village Unhu Collective
  
• Richard Witikani
  
• Nyasha Jeche
  
• Tanaka Mazivanhanga
  
• Cosmas Shiridzinomwa
  
• Lovemore Kambudzi
  
• Tandazani Dhlakama
  
• Kudakwashe Mangoma (Baskwa)
  
• Tinotenda Mushore
  
• David Chinyama
  
• Valerie Sibanda
  
• Chenesai Mangoma
  
• Mukudzei Muzondo
  
• Mercy Moyo
  
• Isheanesu Dondo
  
• Wilfred Timire
  
• George Masarira
  
• Cliford Zulu
  
• Calvin Dondo
  
• Nothando Chiwanga
  
• Prudence Chimutuwah
  
• Tendai Nyandoro
  
• Nyadzombe Nyampenza
  
• Kuda Rice
  
• Lennox Makurumidze
  
• Gideon Gomo
  
• Pardon Mapondera
  
• Gillian Rosselli
  
• Peter Kaunda
  
• Kufa Makwavarara
  
• Calvin Chimutuwah
  
• Franklyn Dzingai
  
• Tinotenda Gusha
  
• Tatenda Chidora
  
• Linnet Panashe Rubaya
  
• Tongesai Machiri
  
• Anusa Salanje
  
• Akudzwe Chiwa
  
• Tendai Makaya
  
• Takura Chadoka
  
• Munyaradzi Mugorosa
  
• Clive Mukucha
  
• Chiko Chazunguza
  
• Crispen Matekenya
  
• Johnson Mugabe
  
• Lilian Magodi
  
• Johnson Zuze
  
• Ngonidzashe Tsiga
  
• Richie Madyira
  
• Mike Tigere Mavura
  
• Dr Maraire
  
• Chido Johnson
  
• Nontsi Mutiti
  
• Merilyn Mushakwe
  
• Tanaka Dzuda

Africa is set to become a powerhouse in so many ways, art included- Peter Kaunda emphasizes this as well in his wonderful writings… the brain gain of africa- not the brain drain!!!!

To continue with some ‘connected’ art and culture events in late 2024, read on….

As well as artists, many many contemporary writers, playwrights, actors, film directors, poets, publishers and musicians within Africa and beyond, are fueling the furnace of African creativity, African innovation…

2024 has been a year of art happenings and cultural happinesses – too many to list all, and anyway you will have seen many in my previous blogs. Here I relate a few such events that ended the year of 2024 for me and my daughter, make up artist Kelli Barker… (and recognizing that so many more Zimbabwean and African creatives not herein mentioned fully deserve more blogs related to them as well… I’ll get to it!)

Skei and Strobo Fabrik Party happened as usual late in the year in Harare – a gathering of fashion, skateboarders music art street art and culture gurus, ably led by Ulenni Okandhlovu, with Caligraph (Nyasha Jeche and The Marcus) and with music by my favourite musicians- Bantu Spaceships-(Ulenni, Thando Mlambo and Serpant )

I would definately call Bantu Spaceships G.O.A.T.Z (greatest of all time Zimbabweans)

Thando calls herself a ‘global African’ which sums up Bantu Spaceship’s meteoric orbit around the world this year!

Lisa Masterson, Prudie and Calvin Chimutuwah opened their paintings exhibition at Loft 3 Gallery Space..

Then Kombo Chapfika opened his solo exhibition Dreams and Drama, at Loft 3 Gallery Space in Harare in December ..

“War is a racket”, intriguing tufted work..

… deep themes and of course #allthingsconnected and #africanunity…

Thanks to art matriarch Leslie Johnson’s pre-advertising, Kelli and I attended the generous workshop by Charles Nkomo at Loft 3 Gallery Space late December -a soulful example of a Zimbawean artist well connected in the diaspora but who selflessly gives back to us ‘homies’ by openly sharing his art process and advice! Bravo Charles!

Zim Designer Fungai Muzoroza’s ‘RUKA’ was named Best African Film by the Cannes Film Awards…

Danayi Mudondo, (Haus of Stone) – friend and talented fabric/garment creator- following her path of taking her design ethics and her storytelling, her Zimbabwe, to the world – using recycled and fairly produced materials. Winner of a british council southern Africa arts SEED award late in 2024 and sitting on various art/fashion panels – go Danayi! Kelli and I look forward to continuing our creative pathways and collaborations with you, Danayi ..

Danayi you are a G.O.A.T (greatest of all time)

Ivhu Tribe – Jasper Mandizera and his amazing team made waves at the inaugural World Fashion Week Exhibition held in October 2024 in Shanghai – Ivhu Tribe creating runway garments that truly celebrated the forces of earth and water, environment and connections…

Ivhu Tribe, your team collaborations and creativity make you real G.O.A.T.Z (greatest of all time Zimbabweans)

Rise, the movie, a short film shot in Victoria Falls…by Jessica J. Rowlands, produced by Joe Njagu and a strong creative team, starring Tongai Chirisa and child actor Sikhanyisio Ngwenye, was premiered at Ster Kinekor, Joina City, in Harare.

What a heartwarming Zimbabwean story, featuring Tongai who lives in LA and furthers his acting career, yet embraces the chance to help create a proudly Zimbabwean movie… (set to become a full length film hopefully in the near future…). Kelli was the make up artist on set.

Joe Njagu also created “The Friendship Bench” documentary – a Zambia film awards festival winner – and he co-directed Ngoda, the powerful Zimbabwean “Diamond” movie with Eddie Sandifolo, and the stellar cast included Charmaine Mujeri, Eddie, Farai Chigudu and so many more…

I would surely call Joe a G.O.A.T (greatest of all time)

Kalai Faye Barlow, Jess Pelser, and Richard Watson of Obscura Media create powerful music and cultural films, such as the one featuring Hope Masike- Shuwa

Here is a still of our nationally and international internationally treasured G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) Hope Masike, from her music film…

Another offering from Obscura Media is Mann Friday, Robbie Burrell’s song Caravan in the Mist, a music movie from 2023, (choreography and dance by Airborne Mangoma and Michelle Nativel. Kelli Barker being Make up Artist on set, with powerful make ups reminiscent of the white face paint Bob Dylan used to go onstage wearing…and assisted by MUA Sandy Ndoro)

Talking Theatre; Kelli revelled in visiting the Impro Show, at Reps Theatre. The “Impros” Kevin, Jamie and Moosa, three of Zimbabwe’s most beloved actors and playwrights, are, at the end of January 2025, temporarily emigrating, taking to the wilds of the diaspora in Canada for an international Impro workshop ….!!

December was wonderful family time to be with our darling daughter Kelli and our son Glenn with his family, for Christmas. It was also an opportunity for me and Kelli to have various art meetings, planning for a creative and collaborative year in 2025 with fashion designers, (watch this space for ‘I wear my Culture’ plus Fashion Week International)

In another development connecting diaspora and culture across borders – xangana cultural dance groups from Zimbawe, South Africa and Mozambique will participate in a ‘Budula Festival’

CCDI, Gaza Trust, the Centre for Cultural Development Initiatives, (including a member of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Mr Hebert Pikhela) have generously invited me to sit on their board in 2025. 

CCDI’s ‘Budula Festival‘, building connections…)

A “Budula” is an actively used pathway, an accessible corridor…what a wonderful word for our inter-connectedness !

So, continuing my thoughts on #allthingsconnected , Immigration, Emigration; as 2024 closed it was a strong synergy for me to attend two cultural events on the same day in Harare as the year of 2024 drew to a close, both of which addressed exactly this commonality, this connectedness, addressed as African experiences, but powerfully applicable to people worldwide who are split apart, living new lives, leaving old lives, for whatever reason.

First event, a book launch, “Weeping Tomato” – a layered sci fi/cultural/contemporay tale of love at a distance, love lost, challenged identities, between Zimbabwe, Africa and the diaspora, by Samantha Vazhure…

Sam lives between Wales and Zimbabwe, writes poetry and prose and manages her publishing Company Carnelian Heart Publishing for the betterment of so many Zimbabwean writers, truly giving back to her home base…. I would surely call Sam a literary G.O.A.T (greatest of all time)

The launch was hosted by another creative G.O.A.T (greatest of all time)- wordsmith Petina Gapah, who herself tirelessly gives back to her Zimbabwean roots, under her Creative Zimbabwe Trust..

I was welcomed warmly and dramatically by the irrepressible Petina Gappah, at this event in her own gardens…

Mbira maestro Nasibo Mutize’s powerful international voice ushered us into a state of receptive anticipation as she sang stories of love and loss, displacement and hope..

accompanied by songstress and cultural ambassador Shingai Shoniwa..who lives in the UK and in Zimbabwe, connecting both with her spirit…

Petina, MC par excellence, with always a pithy witty comment to share, is supported by a powerful illustration by Mike Stuart, from Sam’s book, Weeping Tomato…

Gorgeous and vibrant, Sam on her beaded throne, visibly moved by the music …

Shingai intently listening in, preparing to converse with Sam…

and a fascinating conversation between our vibrant Sam and Shingai ensues…

with many questions and audience discussion ..

and a live reading from the book by Sam…

The opening lines of the book…… speaking to all Zimbabweans worldwide…

As Sam reads, my favourite passage, (photographed below), throws me into a world sparkling with colour, resonating in my mind with my floral abstract paintings; yes, the glowing colour of precious stones is usually produced under extreme environmental pressure, but here in the Mutirikwe Valley of 2090-something, they are ‘shat’ out by futuristic shumbas, (cyborg lions) who have eaten evil doers! They are the product of transformation … they echo the colour of flowers, of nature, of environment all around us if we but look…

Sam’s own paintings are creations in conjunction and yet independent of her wonderful writings, and come under her website Chitenge Fine Art

This book of Samanthas is immersive and un-put-downable……. with a truly jolting twist at the end that first took me by surprise, and then seemed so obvious!!

The condition of being an emigrant, an immigrant, so poignantly portrayed in a future culture, as loss of culture. Futuristic and yet so close to home. Bravo Sam.

Brain Garusa of Book Fantastics , an award winning writer himself and contributor to Ipikai Poetry Journal, distributes this and many other luminous book and anthology titles within Zimbabwe..contact him!

On this same ‘connected’ day Kelli and I set off to Reps theatre for a reading of “The Return”, a play by Rudo Mtangadura, one of five plays presented after a workshop, a gathering of gifted actors, directors and some exciting new playwrights, (such as Rudo and Batsirai Chigama), in Zimbabwe, Almasi African Playwrights Conference 2024

Almasi was co-founded in 2011 by Zimbabwean-American actress and playwright Danai Gurira

Participants were mentored by Danai Gurira and Oskar Eustis, (Oskar being artistic director of The Public Theatre, New York…).

Danai in her opening remarks told us how strongly she feels for the connectedness of Zimbabwe to the diaspora..

Almasi Collaborative Arts, a groundbreaking ‘connecting’ platform for theatre professionals to learn and finesse of their craft …

So much passionate, humorous, despairing and emotional audience participation there was, on the evening of “The Return” that Kelli and I attended, speaking as it did to the connectedness and the disconnectedness of Zimbabweans at home and in the diaspora!! The audience included acclaimed Zimbabwean actress Charlene Furusa; Soukania from AfriKera Arts Trust (AAT) – a centre of excellence in dance training in Zimbabwe and beyond; Jamie McClaren, actress drama coach and playwright; Kevin Hanssen and Moosa, Shakespearean-calibre comedic and tragic actors, those two, and all three of the aforementioned are perpetrators of the fabulously funny Impro Show; Charmaine Mujeri, a deeply intense actress and performer; Blanka Zizka, an international theatre director now turned visual artist, from Philadelphia; What an experience – feeling the threads of connection, hearing the impassioned reactions and comments between actors and audience! It was truly immersive and heartening theatre, again speaking to the connections and disconnections between Zimbabweans at home and in the diaspora, and the ties that bind us. #allthingsconnected

Thank you Danai and Almasi team for giving back and connecting zimbabwe and the diaspora – you are all G.O.A.T.Z. (greatest of all time Zimbabweans)

This is obviously my new favourite acronym , my invented acronym GOATZ with a Z

#allthingsconnected

After all this talk of goats– (I love goats and sketch them often, full of Character as they are), watch out for my next blog which embraces the wise (non-voting) goat Muriel, as featured in George Orwell’s Animal Farm…(a group of Zimbabwean writers, led by novelist and lawyer Petina Gappah and poet Tinashe Muchuri, have translated Animal Farm into Shona, with input of many writers contributing to the translation: Chimurenga Chemhuka (Animal Revolution).