What if artists ran the world?! Given the current topsy turvy world politics, a world of hotly debated elections, would-be elections, wars (verbal and actual), and tussles for power sweeping Africa, America, Europe and the middle east, what an apt concept Richard Mudariki of ArtHARARE has put forward..
WHAT IF ARTISTS RAN THE WORLD….?
Richard says of The Artists General Election: :
| We are thrilled to announce our participation in the Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025, where we will be presenting the 2025 Artists General Election, inspired by recent elections across the globe—from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Rwanda to Botswana, Namibia, the UK, India, Brazil to the USA—and reimagines the act of voting by casting acclaimed artists as candidates rather than politicians. Artists on the ballot paper include Nandipha Mntambo, Moffat Takadiwa, Nelson Makamo, Kelli Barker, Gordon Massie, Treasure Mlima, Carol-Anne Gainer, Lin Barrie, Morenike Ajayi, Blessing Ngobeni among others. Our booth will offer an immersive experience, inviting visitors to step into an environment that captures the atmosphere of a state election, reimagined through an artistic lens. The audience will actively participate in the process, casting votes for their preferred artist “candidates” either in person or online. Excitingly, a series of reimagined art political posters will be exhibited during the election. This project is not politically driven, nor does it involve rankings or competitive structures. It is an artistic exploration designed to engage audiences and stimulate dialogue, focusing on contemporary artistic practice as a vital contributor to the global art discourse. |
This symbolic election invites audiences to explore themes of power, influence, and the critically honest role of art in shaping society. Taking place at the 2025 Investec Cape Town Art Fair (Feb 21–23, 2025), visitors can step into a dynamic, election-style booth, view artist-designed campaign posters, and vote for their favorite “artist candidate.” Online voting will also be available, making it a global event.
visit https://www.artharare.com/ to vote online.
Or….Join ArtHarare at Booth L12 at the Cape Town Convention Centre from the 21 -23 February 2025.
Your Vote Matters! (and if you can not visit the very vibrant booth, you can vote online……)
I am truly honoured to be included in the ballot papers, with such varied and fascinating artists as Nandipha Mntambo, Sita Mgoboza, Richard Mudariki, Collin Sekajugo, Moffat Takadiwa, Nelson Makamo, Kelli Barker, Gordon Massie, Samurai Farai, Treasure Mlima, Carol-Anne Gainer, Morenike Ajayi, Blessing Ngobeni … so while you are at Investec Art Fair 2025, visit ArtHARARE booth L12 to mingle, solve the woes of the world, and vote!
And in line with my thinking in a recent blog (See my Animal Farm blog and READ THAT BOOK by George Orwell if you can – salutary indeed….), I propose we could each Vote GOAT, vote for our personal Great Of All Time artist who we think would be a GOAT, in the philanthropical, philosophical, environmental, educational and creative service of HUMANITY…
So…how would we artists run the world if given a chance?! It might be a bit chaotic, given the nature of artists, but I hope it would be a whole lot more thoughtful, less power hungry, possibly more respectful of the Geneva Convention; vastly kinder to women and children, more honest, more humanity oriented.
Check out my recent blog on the Geneva Convention and Art – where I comment: ‘On celebrating the anniversary of 75 years of the Geneva Convention, Swiss Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Malawi Stéphane Rey emphasized the deep connection between art and peace, the role of art to document and moderate our perceptions of war – the importance of art to encourage and contribute to peace…highlighting how artistic expression fosters dialogue, builds trust, and keeps the principles of the Geneva Conventions alive, celebrating the strong links that art has with Human Rights, a legacy born in Switzerland that continues to shape our world.’….
Does this not say it all?! From politics to environment and everything in between, Art has Impact. Art has the power to make social comment in such a manner as to nudge the tiller of state ships…
Capital Art, reflected in mine and their blogs, recognize the power of collecting and creating ART for Impact. Art for Change. Such as …
Art for Impact, from The Victory of Samothrace, that wonderful ancient statue of the Greek winged goddess of Victory, to Picasso’s Guernica, to Goya’s Third of May 1808..pictured below..
Art for Impact: in Richard Mudariki’s latest solo exhibition, My Reality, recently concluded in Cape Town, this is Hondo,(War), the artwork being a chaotic composition that draws inspiration from Picasso’s Guernica….
Lets’ give it a try, vote GOAT !!!!…. Empower artists to create ART for Impact, and visit https://www.artharare.com/ , your vote matters…live in hope of different kinds of world leaders! (…and nothing could be worse anyway than the antics, posturing and despotism of present incumbents on all ‘sides’, world wide…)
One of the fun election posters available online at ArtHarare, and on display at Investec Art Fair, Booth L12.. this one…
Loving goats as I do, (you no doubt noticed that from my previous blogs…), this sketch of one of our own goats at out plot in Chief Mahenye’s village, a little girl called Bella who belongs to my granddaughter Rayne, a little goat with attitude and a white heart glowing in her black fur, is a perfect pin up girl, a perfect choice, for my poster! A GOAT with heart…
SUCH WITTY ELECTION POSTERS… read carefully…
Vote ZANU- Zimbabwean Artists National Union….!! A Strong DA Can Rescue ART, vote Democratic Artist..!! Let’s create together, VOTE ANC, ARTISTS NATIONAL CONGRESS…!! CREATIVES COALITION for CHANGE, CCC, Vote for Artists…!!
I have a feeling;
the GOATS will have the
last laugh….
VOTE GOAT is what I say-
vote for your personal greatest of all time artist,
with no fear of a rigged election
a political reprisal.
Unless you live on
Animal Farm….
wine and wild dogs 
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