ArtHARARE artists general election results… a collaborative artwork!!
STOP PRESS!!!
ART WINS!!!!….a collaborative artwork wins the artists general election, as, in a telling twist, clever Richard Mudariki turns the election results themselves into an art collaboration…
There is no individual winner after all…….we all collaborate to contribute to the bigger picture… such a perceptive piece and a refreshing departure from the worldwide cult of political power and macho maneuvering that we are confronted with daily….
and fantastic Limited edition Art Election posters are available to purchase, as you’ll see in the previous link, so that you can own an inspiring artwork and also embrace a sobering reminder of the need to escape the “Animal Farm” plot, with skewed election results enabling certain all-powerful individuals or creeds to dominate….
As a small taste of the varied posters available, here’s a great poster from Wilfred Timire..
Wilfred Timire posterWilfred Timire bio
And a Moffat Takadiwa poster available…
Moffat Takadiwa posterMoffat Takadiwa bio
plus my Vote Goat poster, (inspired by the very same Animal Farm book by George Orwell that plots a salutary lesson for aspiring democracies worldwide… better to be a goat in the farmyard than a pig I think….)
Lin Barrie posterLin Barrie bio
VOTE GOAT is what I say-
vote for your personal greatest of all time artist,
My thoughts and art practice, Art of the Earth, for the Earth, in the Earth…. EARTHART, Art with Heart…
Over the last few years in my art practice I have been digging into the earth, mining for information and delving into traditional art colours (with the invaluable advice of my fellow Xangana Mahenye community creatives….)
My friend Enock, head of gardens at Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge and my mentor in so many cultural practices, from fire making and hunting to earth pigments and tree bark dyes, is a deep ‘mine’ of information, to whom I often turn!
Here is Enock’s senior wife in white, with her collection of earth pigments….prior to renewing the traditional paintings on the walls of her homestead..
Enock’s wife in white, and her collection of earth pigments…
Enock’s wife pounding earth pigment to a fine texture in her churi, using a mhusi…
hard work – pounding earth pigment to a fine texture…
LOVE & PEACE is the delightful result, a painting on the wall of her personal sleeping hut..
LOVE & PEACE bedroom wall
Earth also comes into its own as a floor finish… needing to be periodically retouched, here smeared by hand by Enock’s younger wife, then polished, burnished, with a favourite perfectly shaped rock…..
earth floor finishing
Another friend, Makokwe, also a talented chef… invites me to his home to join in painting with his wives and family..
Look at this gorgeously graphic striped bedroom wall, gloriously decorated for her own bedroom by Enock’s senior wife….(and the colours are just too beautiful not to smear on myself…)
earth colour ready for action, glorious graphic stripes
Makokwe’s wife applying earth colour to a living area…..and we create patterns together…
.and we create patterns together…
Another kind of earth…Enock’s mother has kindly obtained some fine red ochre for me, from the Hippo Valley area, which is used as a skin and scalp conditioner..
fine red ochre used as a skin and scalp conditioner..
Excited, I scrape some to use as a wash with water on watercolour paper, then I draw into it straight from the stone, wet and dry, most satisfying……
fine red ochre used as a painting and drawing tool….
and yet another kind of earth…many years ago I took this poignant photograph of a young girl dancing at her Komba graduation, celebrating her arrival at the edge of womanhood… her face and body decorated with a fine clay which at that stage I did not know the name of, or the source of…
Young girl dancing, her face and body decorated with a fine clay …and look at that swirling dancing skirt…
Now, at last, living in the Mahenye community, I have discovered what this pigment is.. KAOLIN!
There is a traditional kaolin collection site on our Kaya Nyala plot within Chief Mahenye’s village, shown to me by another friend (Head Chef at Chilo Gorge Lodge) Peter Chauke. (When I first saw the site near our goat boma, I had not known the import of it, had just assumed the rather odd white turds that I observed were those of a spotted hyena, with loads of calcium content!!!)
Our geologist friend Tim Broderick kindly commented on this photo that I sent to him, note blue comments in the photograph below
the kaolin ‘mine’, with white kaolin turds in the foreground…
This sumptuous kaolin is tactile, challenging and absorbing to work with, both on skin – as in these two body paintings of Kelli’s a few years ago …. (Kelli Barker, Make Up artist)
Ian’s mumand more skin work on young Ian..
And kaolin is a wonder, making marks on my hand made papers…… applied directly as a paint ….
asemic writing…kaolin brush marks on handmade paper
or applied here with a fresh Phoenix reclinata palm leaf as a stencil… Lin Barrie, Palm Connection, diptych, 1 and 2, kaolin earth on handmade paper, monoprints, each 45 x 32 cm
Palm Connection, diptych, 1 and 2, kaolin earth in handmade paper, each 45 x 32 cm
My earth pigment art journey is never ending, ongoing, experimenting with the wonderful range of earth colours from our Mahenye Village on the banks of the Save River opposite Gonarezhou National Park.
the wonderful range of earth colours at Mahenye
Ongoing, incorporating my attendance at the wonderful workshop ‘A Material Practice” conducted by Ann Mary Gollifer and Mma Motsei Nkwemabala at Origins Centre, Wits in 2024.
Ongoing, my own art embraces earth, mixed with acrylic painting and poetry… as in my painting Red Earth Pangolin, using red earth from Mahenye on my canvas ..
Lin Barrie, “Red Earth Pangolin”, mixed media on canvas, with real earth pigment, 110 x 120 cm, 2024
……truly this is Art for Impact, using the red african earth found in my village to encrust the scales of my painted endangered pangolin, the secret nocturnal visitor that leaves digging and tracks in that same red earth ……….
red african earth found in my village, pounded, sieved and ready for painting application…
Inspirations from the walls of xangana village residences that I have admired over the years, paintings I have done with earth, now translated to the walls of contemporary city homes… such as this one “Earth Pigments“, my painting on paper using real earth, and which has been translated to wallpaper…
Earth Pigments, Lin Barrie, painting on paper translated to Earth Piogments, abstract thoughts collection, wallpaper….
Also in my Abstract Thoughts Collection of wallpapers, are “Beneath the Surface“, and “Of the Earth” – two abstract wallpapers derived from another large triptych created using earth pigments directly onto the canvas, that you’ll see below….
“Beneath the Surface”…
“Beneath the Surface” abstract thoughts collection, wallpaper by Lin Barrie
“Of the Earth”….
Of the Earth, abstract thoughts collection, wallpaper by Lin Barrie
“Pangolin Trilogy”, my triptych, acrylic on canvas, was the starting point for creating those two wallpapers….again this was truly an Art for Impact piece which sold at auction to help support ConservEarth Project Pangolin.. mission statement: HELP US RESTORE WHAT WE HAVE LOST. For humans and wildlife to co-exist, we need to implement sustainable living practices, not just for the survival of wildlife, but for the continued existence of humans too.
“Pangolin Trilogy” in work, using red earth from Mahenye…
“Pangolin Trilogy” in work, using red earth from Mahenye…
The sale of this painting helped raise funds for ConservEarth Project Pangolin.. in creating pangolin-friendly electric fencing around Sabi Sands Nature Reserve … (a subject close to my heart as we also have erected pangolin-friendly electric fencing around our Kaya Nyala property..with the lowest electrified wire being at least 50 cm off the ground so that pangolins and other low to the ground creatures can not inadvertently get entrapped in it..)
My poetry often accompanies my artworks…
I always love to see how my artworks translate into their new homes…and look at this, the ‘translocated pangolin’, from our Zimbabwe lowveld to the bright lights of Johannesburg.. my Pangolin Trilogy”, triptych, in her new home on a wall in Jozi, Sandton…
Lin Barrie, Pangolin Trilogy, acrylic and earth on canvas
Here is one of my termite interventions at Kaya Nyala, earth pigment painted onto handmade paper and then left in the earth itself for termites to add their marks onto over time…
A giant land snail shell is a perfect receptacle for my earth pigment…
my paint pot is a giant snail shell….
My snail shell holds the earth, and I add water, then I sketch the enticing fibonacci spiral that creates a giant snail shell on my paper…note the earth balls and the kaolin (goat earth, I call it…since I am finding more and more of it near our goat boma at Kaya Nyala!)
giant snail shell fibonacci, pencil and kaolin in work..
and the final result – a very satisfying giant snail shell fibonacci, pencil, ink and kaolin ..
Lin Barrie, giant snail shell fibonacci, pencil, ink and kaolin
I sketch the self same shells on paper with black and beige art pigments and ink…
Lin Barrie, shell on paper with black and beige art pigments and ink
Earth Ball, Moon Ball; Dyed Fabric or Clouds; Print Cloth or Landscape; Depending on your Point Of View….
Lin Barrie, art collage Earthballs; Full Moon Eclipse and Kuhlu Clouds…
After the incredible Earth workshop last year with Ann Gollifer at Wits Museum,my mind is even more tuned to the circular, the whole picture, #earthballs #moonballs #moonshadows #landscapes #allthingsconnected , and where better to dream into that than in the moon rising in the sky above us…as a full moon glows overhead in Zimbabwe in March, the full blood moon, and with an eclipse shadow highlighting the “frosting on the moon…!!”
This earth ball, that I treasure from the Earth workshop, is an apt moon indeed, ethereally silver in its isolation….
My White Earth Ball becomes a Silver Moon, isolated in space
and an ochre earth ball glows, becoming an orange moon in my separate sky…
My two acrylic paintings inspired by the Earth, the Moon, hanging for sale in the make up studio of @kelli_mua …
Lin Barrie, Eclipse Harvest Moon I, acrylic on stretched canvas, 61 x 61 cm
Lin Barrie, Eclipse Harvest Moon I, acrylic on stretched canvas, 61 x 61 cm
…here’s a close up of the gold and copper printed leaves…
Lin Barrie, Eclipse Harvest Moon II, acrylic on stretched canvas, 61 x 61 cm
Lin Barrie, Eclipse Harvest Moon II, acrylic on stretched canvas, 61 x 61 cm
and how they might look on a gorgeous copper dulux wall…
and I can’t resist imagining these Moon paintings in more, different room settings…
Lin Barrie, Eclipse Harvest Moon II, acrylic on stretched canvas, each 61 x 61 cm version on a Dulux Wild Wonder wall
and, Lin Barrie, Eclipse Harvest Moon I and II, acrylic on stretched canvas, 61 x 61 cm on Dulux Brave Ground and Approaching Storm walls
My Earthballs from Tammy Hodgskiss at Origins Centre, Wits, are so inspiring.. apart from the finely ground earth that they contain for use in my future paintings, I see in them such satisfying moon shapes, as here in my composition entitled Earthball Full Moon Eclipse and Clouds using my treasured traditional Congo print fabric, my traditional Kuhlu hand dyed calico and earth balls… clouds embracing the double-eclipsed full moon against a landscape of strangely brooding, ochre tipped flowers….
Earth Ball to Moon Ball…. Fabric to Clouds… Fabric print to ominously beautiful African landscape….
Lin Barrie, Earthball Full Moon Eclipse and Clouds with Congo landscape
I see my moon balls nestle in swirling fabric clouds in a dark African sky, set against a Congo landscape…
Earthball Fullmoon Eclipse and bark-dyed Clouds, nothing is black and white, set against the Congo fabric landscape…as my thoughts turn to that tragic land where neighbours fatally fight and struggle against neighbours… where life-giving rain falls on death-dealing guns….
Lin Barrie, Earthball Fullmoon Eclipse and bark-dyed Clouds, nothing is black and white, set against my Congo fabriclandscape.
My eclipse sketches on brown paper, to dream into as I plan more paintings, earth, drapes and all things connected….
Lin Barrie, eclipse sketches on brown paper, collage
May a full and ripe moon always be somewhere on our horizons and in our minds….. reminding us of the bigger picture, our small Humanity on this wonderful Earth and beneath the all-seeing Sky that we enjoy, #allthingsconnected under the same moon after all…
Lin Barrie, Full Moon Eclipse, detail from a larger painting.
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.
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!
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..
Goya’s Third of May 1808 is known as one of the greatest works of the 19th-century. Celebrated for its formal qualities but known mostly for its emotional overtones. Spanish civilians against French occupying soldiers… Many art historians argue that it is the greatest anti-war painting of all time. ,
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…
2025 ARTISTS GENERAL ELECTION Lin Barrie, GOAT poster
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…
Pencil Sketch by Lin Barrie, Bella.
SUCH WITTY ELECTION POSTERS… read carefully…
Well done ArtHARARE, you have created such witticisms as; 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,
Many years ago, Drifters Lodge near Mutare was built by Lyn and Ros Rogers. Nestled between four small green-clad mountains, it catered to drifters and backpackers, art and bridge clubs, friends, itinerants and more…
Challenges and tragedies, triumphs and disasters, all were met with a whimsical and fierce yet gentle camaraderie, typical of the Rogers family….
The Rogers’ children Steph, Sandy, art curator to be Helen and author-to-be Douglas, grew up there, with sweet Steph and her husband Rob Watson becoming dear friends of mine and my father Arthur Barrie’s in later years. (Douglas became world recognized as author of ‘The Last Resort’, a memoir, a social tale of his growing up, leaving and returning to, his childhood home. A must read… a witty, poignant, tragic and side-splittingly funny all-in-one meal of a book, akin to having all one’s meal courses piled on one heaped plate at a dinner party, multiple layered tastes to test your senses)!
I recall my first adventure at Drifters Lodge many years ago, when as a newly minted ‘artist’ in the early 90’s, I travelled to Drifters with my dear (now departed) Dad Arthur Barrie, in his old Mazda truck (which I still have), loaded with paintings, to hold a solo exhibition of my art, all painted on silk. ….such as this Wildebeest skull, recycled after a house fire and hanging again in my art studio…
Lin Barrie, Wildebeest Skull, painted on silk circa 1995, 90 x 88 cm with Afzelia quansensis frame
Supported as always in my endeavours by dear friend Bronwen Evans, (whom I had met at Natal Technikon when we were both studying art), my inaugural art exhibition at Drifters, in the second storey and balcony with a view forever, was a roaring success in more ways than one (!) and many of my sold pieces still hang in various homes from Odzi to Chimoio, Burma Valley to Juliasdale and everywhere in between!
Time passed, as did Ros, Lyn and my dear old Dad, and, very sadly, we recently lost dear Steph at a young age. Georgina Maxim and Misheck Masamvu, Zimbabwean master artists and mentors of Village Unhu, had meanwhile bought the lodge and had long nurtured a dream… discussed over many a glass of wine with the Roger’s children. A dream of creating a workspace, an art space, plus an artist residency, in those rolling hills.
Georgina’s stitched and patched artworks, made of musings, emotions and memories.. (photo by Marcella Franzoni)
I had heard variously from Steph, Georgina, Douglas and Bronwen of the dreams and schemes, the plans and hopes for the property, but during the intervening years had not seen for myself, until last week. A road trip… I was driving towards Mutare from Harare on my way to our bush camp Kaya Nyala at Chief Mahenye’s Village, and I had stopped at Halfway House to try find something yummy to eat, (grrrrr ..I had forgotten my lovingly pre-made chicken sandwiches in Harare). I failed to find anything tantalizing and was settling glumly for a small packet of roasted corn kernels, when I was suddenly alerted by bush telegraph (aka by friend Bronwen’s whatsapp) that a function/art exhibition was unrolling at Drifters…
Quickly obtaining the necessary heads up to attend from Georgina, again by bush telegraph aka WhatsApp, I realized that I needed to shop for a pair of earrings (as one does at a cafe/road stop) to try and upgrade my inadequate attire, and Tjo, I found just the right colour cobalt blue earrings in the craft shop at Halfway House!! What a boost to elevate my blue kaftan and my rather travel worn image. I tied my messy hair up, popped in the earrings, plus a few other titivations, and voila, I could hold my head up, proceed to Drifters and enter the event, “Dialogues on Humanity”, where ambassadors, artists, chefs and such assorted dignitaries were mingling under the msasa trees; an event in honour of the refurbishment of Drifters into a new era of Village Unhu….(Art with a capital A) and also fittingly in honour of the Humanities – 75 years of existence of the esteemed Geneva Convention.
Anesu Chigariro, (she of Good Good, People Wine Food), and doubling as MC par excellence, hosted us all on arrival, as we gathered under the delightful msasa trees below the double story lodge….
Ambassador Stephane Rey, Petina Gappa, Bronwen and Sue Evans, Sogol and many more..
David, Sandy’s husband and Rob Watson attended this amazing event, along with at least 50-70 people.
David, Joyline Mupudzi, and Rob chatting on that iconic balconey, on the second storey with a view forever,…
Bronwen and Lin; noteworthy are the newly acquired blue earrings….;
The guests included the International Committee of the Red Cross – Africa, and various embassy personnel in Zimbabwe, such as the Botswana ambassador Sarah Sithabile Molosiwa, the Greek ambassador Anna Farou, Ambassade de France au Zimbabwe, Paul-Bertrand Barets, the Ambassador of Portugal in Zimbabwe, Rui Goncalves Monteiro, the Malawi deputy ambassador, Alliance Francaise de Harare, Embassy of Sweden in Harare, EU Delegation to Zimbabwe, German Ambassador Udo Volz, Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, the Manica Post, Zimpapers, Diamond FM Zim and so many others including well known artists Wallen Mapondera and Admire Kamudzengerere, making this event a resounding success.
Misheck could not be at the function as he was attending his Goodman Gallery art exhibition opening overseas, but he was ably represented by one of his monumental artworks, standing nonchalantly against a wall upstairs on the second story where we gathered for speeches…. I was totally sucked into that painting… layers of barely perceived yet powerfully present under-drawings, overlaid with vibrant story and emotion..
Lin falling into Misheck’s painting at Drifters aka Village Unhu…
Upstairs for the speeches, in the very space I had exhibited silk paintings so many years ago, Georgina opened with the story of Drifters and her and Misheck’s warm relationship with the Rogers family, then Rob Watson read a passage from The Last Resort.
Rob Watson and Georgina, photo courtesy of “Shot byTatenda”
“Journo: Q: The book is very funny, despite the harrowing subject matter. How did you come to write it this way.
Douglas: A: I was in a restaurant in Manhattan one night in early 2005 with the writer Melanie Thernstrom and I told her the tragic story of my parents’ lives, how their once beloved backpacker lodge was now a brothel, how my Mom was reduced to cooking meals on a portable gas cooker, that my Dad was cultivating a marijuana crop to earn a little money. Tears were rolling down her face. But she wasn’t crying, she was laughing. She said something like, “I’m really sorry but what you just told me is actually quite funny.” I realized then that I had to look at it in a completely different way. “
(That just about sums the book up wonderfully, as I say, a Must-Read!)
After Rob, David then talked on the history of the two families with Georgina and Misheck, and Drifter’s evolution into Villageunhu as it transforms into a dynamic arts centre.
On celebrating the anniversary of 75 years of the Geneva Convention, Swiss Ambassador 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. ….
Ambassador Rey, photo courtesy of “Shot byTatenda”
We explored International Humanitarian Law, (IHL), reflected through the powerful “Dialogues on Humanity” photography exhibition which was on display, thought provoking images,
Human rights and digital data…
Human rights and digital data…
considering the future of a digital explosion of information and dis-information, AI for better, or for worse?!…
AI for better, or for worse?!…
Nyasha Chishakwe, Lawyer, spoke brilliantly on the history behind the Geneva Convention… mentioning the book “In Memory of Sofrina” written by Henry DuTon, 1859, written after Henry experienced Sofarino, a horrific battle leaving many wounded and dead with no hope of humanitarian assistance in those far off days. This book inspired “the group of 5” in Switzerland – who in 1863, volunteered to assist victims of armed conflicts … this group of five eventually becoming the Red Cross, and inspiring the formation of the Geneva convention in 1949.
IHL (International Humanitarian Law) was ratified by all states, initially reacting to needs on battlefields on land on at sea and further developed during the First World war to embrace treatment of prisoners of war. After World War Two, protection of civilians was ratified, as battlefields no longer were only in remote areas of conflict but often in civilian towns and backyards…
(Today conflict is not far away or remote- as we know; it is, horrifically, taken into civilian populations and across borders – and in some cases 90% civilians mortality is recorded compared to 10% active soldiers mortality!)
Shot by Tatenda… as speeches continued, we all were on the receiving end of talented friend Tatenda’s searching photographic lens, as he ably captured the key moments and nuances of the event…
Shot by Tatenda, my photo
Dear friend, ever-vibrant Petina Gappah shone in her glorious red outfit… and commented that the Geneva Convention was trying to retain ‘“humanity in brutality” but that currently such flouting, such brutality and violations are occurring worldwide- where does the road lead to from here?’
Lady in Red…..
An interesting response from the ICRC panel, (Dr Emmanuel Mhaphosa and colleague Megan van Schalkwkyk) was that when asked this question, “due to violations across the globe, have we failed to meet the standards of IHL?”, they said that they felt that not – that the successes are often not noticed as often as the violations … Violence and displacement in Africa is gigantic – women and children often bear the brunt – the rules of IHL need to be understood and adhered to by states…
Zimbabwe implements the Geneva convention , IHL into its social structure, and they felt that the laws we have are adequate but implementation and compliance is key -(international and non international conflicts need to be treated by the law) I learned that the ICRC works with all to raise awareness of IHL but does not enforce, as it is outside their mandate to enforce the law, and they maintain neutrality so as to more effectively network with all parties in and our of conflict.
As ambassador Rey mentioned, we need to develop bridges between cultures and traditions – such as art and IHL – to increase value and recognition globally and specifically in Africa – creating linkages to educate and enhance a greater understanding of the need to respect Human Rights.
Looking to the future – the next 75 years – the relevance of the Geneva convention is not in question, but art and culture can reinforce the bridge of understanding ….. Compliance can be increased and fostered by focussing on the positive the good and using culture, customs, traditional beliefs, using art and education, interacting with all armed groups, university programmes etc
part of the photographic exhibition, Human Hope and Dignity, planting a seed…
After the speeches we enjoyed a wonderful lunch under the Msasa trees, Georgina’s tables all adorned with “Delicious Monster” leaves and delicious food on the platters……!!
Our Zimbabwean treasure, Georgina….
I got to meet and have a wonderful chat with artist Kudzanai Chiurai, read the link for my blog on him and the FNB Art Fair. Kudzanai, whose art I much admire, has had a long association with the Rogers family, and is currently working at Drifters/Village Unhu while he builds his own studio nearby.
Kudzanai Chiurai….
Georgina then proceeded to walk us past the newly built artist residences, some catering for women with their children – (such a wonderful initiative, as she herself has found over time the value of art residencies which welcome the artists’ children, empowering artists who otherwise could not participate due to having young children).
and through the lush rain-green hills…sharing her world with us…
Village Unhu evolves….
…..onwards always with the hopeful dreams and innovative art residencies at Village Unhu, as friend Sogol captures an indigenous Crossandra flower on our walk…
Small is smart!…. my life size yet tiny tiny snail shell paintings….
Lin Barrie, Giant Land Snail Shell, 1,2 and 3, (triptych), 2023, acrylic, charcoal and earth pigment on stretched canvas, each is 20 x 20 cm,
I believe that the essence of a subject should be captured by direct observation, as in these miniature mixed media paintings on canvas, observing the minute detail, the intimacy, of an object such as a giant african land snail shell, which condensed narrative then emphasizes the bigger picture, the fuller story of this particular mollusc shell, which is the totem of the Chauke clan in the south east lowveld of Zimbabwe.
All things are connected in the bigger picture of life, and my small scale art reflects the bigger diversity and wonder, the hope inherent, the culture of storytelling (ngano) in this rural Zimbabwean world that I live in….
My musings on tiny objects such as snail shells, in the fire story Chauke Humba… bring to mind that small but potent creature, the Giant African Land Snail..and how a story about it shows its importance in the much bigger scheme of life and community….
I love observing and sketching the discarded white shells of the land snails. Wonders of creation they are, the fibonacci spiral of their mesmerising shells being a very satisfying art inspiration.
My miniature artworks reflect the power of this little creature in the bigger picture of culture.
I have used mixed media to reflect the natural earth pigments and charcoal that feature in the Chauke Humba story, (the Giant Snail Shell Totem Story)
Lin Barrie, giant land snail paintings in work
My friend and fellow artist Johnson Zuze also uses my giant snail shells in his powerful small wire sculptures ..
Snail shell as a wasp stinger!
Lin Barrie, “Of the land, earth and water 1, 2 and 3”, acrylic on stretched canvas, each 20 x 20 cm..
and seen here in an interior…
Of the Land, Earth and Water, triptych, is a microcosm of the bigger picture of the elemental world around us, the forces of Earth and Water that shape our environment, and this art emphasises the fact that we impact on those forces by our actions, that our small actions impact the big picture!
Our scratchings in the soil, in the earth are etched into my painting, overflowed and washed by the force of life-giving water….
In this triptych I think small, dream big….
In this triptych I act local, think global…
Lin Barrie
Lin Barrie, close view, Of the land, earth and water 1, acrylic on stretched canvas, 20 x 20 cm,
Look deep….a tiny world in every mark on the canvas, reflecting a bigger being, a larger reality…
Lin Barrie, Of the land, earth and water 1, part of a triptych, acrylic on stretched canvas, 20 x 20 cm
It’s interesting to contemplate art in the palm of your hand, to “see the world in a grain of sand” (William Blake)…..
Here my snail shell holds my earth pigment as a paint palette!!… a grain of sand indeed…
Gleaned from Artnet News recently is the following:
‘Art comes in all shapes and sizes, of course—but recently it has been getting smaller. Or at least that is what is argued in an article by Kate Brown, Artnet Senior Editor and Art Angle co-host. It’s called “Why is Small Art So Big Right Now?”
Not so long ago, the trend was in the other direction. Gigantism and grandiosity were the rage, and artwork stretched to environmental scale. There’s still plenty of that, of course—don’t worry. But Kate gathers together a number of signs and talks to a number of artists and art dealers, and it all points towards a growing interest in smaller, more intimate kinds of art experiences.’
Kate Brown quotes painter Mia Middleton: “I think there is an inherent delicacy and mystery in images, which are small enough to be ‘discovered’ and intimately engaged with,” said Middleton. “There is something so luscious about painting at life’s scale.”
Here a resonant little artwork by Mia Middleton, “Mother”…. That Fibonacci spiral bound up in that coiled hair at the nape of the neck – a tiny tenderness of a painting….
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe “World in Miniature” (aka The World is Ours), exhibition is on view now in Harare, alongside “Becomings”, (the annual gallery show), and a solo exhibition by Wycliffe Mundopa titled Ibwe Rakaraswa ne Muvaki
From “Becomings”, here is a stunning view of Hugh Hatitye Mbayiwa mixed media installation that took my eye…(Hugh’s photo)
And the miniatures exhibition, “The World is Ours….” is on display in The South- East Gallery of the National Gallery…
The World is Ours, Artists exhibiting are: Ann Guild, Casmia Nyamuba, Charmaine Sanzira, Daudi Yves, Drashti Naik, Erhuardt Muchemwa, Hugh Mbayiwa, Ishmael Marimirofa, Joe Chinomona, Johnson Mugabe, Johnson Zuze, Kelli Barker, Lin Barrie, Louise Hunt, Lydia Chakuposhiwa Molai, Michael Hela, Nyasha Mutamba, Percy Manyonga, Pritchard Chirume, and Tamirirashe Zizhou.
Here are Johnson Zuze’s evocative wasp and spider wire sculptures – (using snare wire and my found giant snail shell as an abdomen stinger ..)
Ichumenid “shell” wasp
What a wonderful wasp- here looking out of the window at the National Gallery …looking for spiders!
Johnson Zuze Shell wasp -looking out at the National Gallery …
And the spider -being viewed by admiring but nervous children visiting the gallery for our artist talks …!
Cautious admiration of Johnson’s spider …
( Fun fact: A certain ichumenid wasp hunts and paralyses spiders to lay her eggs on their bodies and bury them in earth … where the eggs hatch and consume the flesh of the unconscious spider … )
And on to my artworks – (some also incorporating my totemic giant African snail shells- )
My tiny abstract landscapes, Of the Land; Earth and Water, triptych (1, 2 and 3), (2024) are acrylic on stretched canvas, each painting in the triptych being 20 x 20 cm, seen here on the gallery wall with Evelyn, Marketing intern at the national gallery..
Tiny landscapes in abstract…
And wow! … packing a punch… my daughter Kelli Barker’s joyful abstracts sit vibrantly in unexpected juxtaposition -bringing a smile to Evylyn’s face!
Kelli Barker tiny works
Nyadzombe Nyampenza writes a great review in Newsday,
Other miniatures of mine, “Giant African Land Snail Shells”, hold multiple meanings and traditional stories, read on….
Evelyn views my life size snail shells, acrylic on stretched canvas, each painting is 20 x 20 cm
Art in the palm of my hand ….. this found snail shell, at the opening Georgina Maxim and Misheck Masamvu’s Village Unhu in the old Drifters Lodge Art Space, resonates with stories. These snail shells constantly inspire me and inform my own stories and my art …
The deeply resonant story behind my love of painting snail shells, behind my love of their elemental fibonacci spiral construction, lies in the fact that they are one of our inherited totems, living as I do with Clive Stockil as part of the Chauke Clan in the village of Chief Mahenye in the south East lowveld of Zimbabwe.
elemental fibonacci spiral construction painting collage detail, by Lin Barrie
My giant snail shell fibonacci, pencil and kaolin in work…
Giant snail shell fibonacci, pencil, ink and kaolin..
Lin Barrie, Giant snail shell fibonacci, pencil, ink and kaolin..
The Chauke Humba story will be featured on our Burnt Offerings exhibition with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe at the Cultural Month Launch, Chikombedzi, 2025:
After a day of working together at my studio on our collaborative submission for Cheuka Art Fair 2025, Johnson Zuze, Kelli Barker and I are satisfied with progress … Johnny’s wire work and my sketches in progress…
Johnson’s Blue Man takes flight against my “Look, Look to your Wings..” acrylic painted on canvas…
And after all that hard work, we treat ourselves and visit Mbare Art Space.…….
This space, at the Mbare Art Space, encompasses the historic Star Building, which has been repurposed into a collaborative space for workshops and art exhibitions. The distinctive eight pointed star roof was featured in an installation on Moffat Takawira’s stand at the 2024 Biennale in Dakar @biennale_de_dakar_officiel
Moffat Takadiwa of Mbare Art Space, participated in two Biennales last year…. the Dakar Biennale and Venice Biennale- and was one of the six Zimbabwean artists featured at the Venice Biennale…
The installation at the Dakar Biennale featured a walk in immersive star-shaped board arrangement with a laid out history of the arising of the Star building, located within the Mbare Art Space…and a replica of the portal through which one can enter Mbare Art Space…
Nora Elisabeth’s visualisation….
…just as the portal that led to the beer garden and the star bar in the old days, is now a portal into the Mbare Art Space… follow the footprints..
Mbare Art Space portal – photo by Mbare Art Space – Installation by Takunda Regis Billiat
A portal in every sense, it is also a “portal” for young artists and mature artists, plus art collectors, to immerse in the world of art!
Here is an aerial view of the Star Bar …
An eight pointed star roof nestled under big trees at Mbare Art Space, archival photo
Exhibition at Mbare Art Space – titled EcoArt green colonialism… three young artists on show…
The interior of the Star Space embraces the work of three Zimbabwean interns/residents..
William Joseph Kachinjika weaves, “types” with rope, USB cables, mutton cloth and led lights!
William with Three Sisters series I…
Close up…
USB cables become art…
Nkosiyabo Frank Nyoni, Multi media on canvas
Frank with “Magara Moyo”, ink and oil pastel on canvas…
Kimberley Tatenda Gakanje creates abstract canvases in primary palettes using fabric paints, dyes and spray paints…
Kimberley with her vibrant “Primary Palette Yellow“
Johnson and I explore the resident artists studio spaces – follow the green arrow to view Moffat Takadiwa’s own hand opening the portal to Kimberley and Frank’s outdoor studio!!!
Moffat Takadiwa’s own hand opening the portal to Kimberley and Frank’s outdoor studio!!!
Internationally recognized artist Moffat and his dedicated trustees Geri Kam and Nora Elisabeth, truly give back to local Zimbabwean artists, in enabling safe spaces for innovative creation of artworks…
This is a year long residency for these three emerging artists- what an opportunity!
Frank shows me his work in progress
En plein air creation with background graffiti – outside the studio, Frank embraces healing and storytelling (ngano) in his compositions…
a fun art afternoon…
Kimberley, Frank, Lin, William and Johnson
Visiting Mbare Art Space while I am in Harare, is always a highlight!
All photographs are by Lin Barrie unless otherwise stated.
For 2025, I vote Goat!…. of food, of family, of culture, of art, of drums, of storytelling, of proverbs… Goats, GOATZ, really are the greatest of all time….
Worldwide goats are the GOAT, closely allied to man and domesticated for centuries, full of charisma and valued for their agricultural and cultural use but also as great companions, even rivaling dogs in character…
We live with goats, (our own and those of the village), at Mahenye, so of course I watch, draw and paint goats.. and we live with African wild dogs as well, which often come across the Save river, the boundary between Gonarezhou wilderness and Mahenye Village … so I paint those two beings often, one being prey, one being predator……
Wild Dog Mhume 3 and Goat Mbudzi 3, Ink/Pencil on water paper A2 on sand background 2024
In the pink! The combination of local fabric collage adds another layer in the story… I could not resist buying this pink ‘macdonalds’ logo fabric from across the border in Mozambique, supplied by Janet at her village store. After I bought it and was happily wearing it as a wrap (chitenge), I realized that it also reminded me of goats horns…and so it was repurposed into collage artworks!
Goat (Mbudzi) poster, Acrylic monoprint on white watercolour paper, A2, with glasses and horns collage on pink chitenge background 2025
Heres the poster without the collage, but with lettering, fun and bold, just like a GOAT….
Lin Barrie Goat poster
A new year, 2025; and of course goats featured at our Kaya Nyala homestead party at Chief Mahenye’s village, with our friends, and with Jamanda, Chilo and Mahenye representatives. We were honoured to see Chief Mahenye arrive at the party, a determined presence.
Clive, Nyemia Khosa, Chief Mahenye, Liberty Chauke, John Fellini, Dave Westbrooke, Ngoni Marecha
Instead of ‘supermarket meat’, the healthier and ‘happier’ option was ours, tasty sadza ne nyama ye mbudzi (a goat stew) with green vegetables, made by Julius’ wife who runs a takeaway/restaurant,
plus, a chosen village goat (mbudzi, mhudzi,) was humanely processed, and barbecued by Titus and Manuel on an open fire at the party, and it fed us all.
Titus and Manuel barbecue the nyama….
Our Chauke ‘humba’ totem, the giant snail shell, was cast in silver recycled aluminum for me by Simpli Simbi, and was given at the party to Chief Mahenye in recognition of the Chauke clan totem. The Chief, (in the pink, what is it with the colour pink in this blog?!….), was truly pleased with it…
Chief mahenye holds a Giant African snail shell cast in silver recycled aluminium
And as an aside, thinking musical goats, from the skin of a village goat, this unique little drum (ngoma) has been created, dreamed up by me and Julius (Chochoma) out of a deep winnowing basket (hlelo) that came to me from Isaac, carried from Mozambique..
After the skin is tightened by careful exposure to a glowing mopani fire, the sound will mature and resonate, and this will be gifted to my daughter Kelli for use in her Cacao ceremony that she is exploring…
Goats are an integral part of our village life, at Mahenye as in many other parts of the world- one of our own Kaya Nyala goats is a characterful girl belonging to my granddaughter Jade, and is my model for a portrait I’ll call “Muriel”…. that iconic name to be explained shortly…
Jade’s goat, safely inside a boma made of plastic that predators can not see through, to discourage them from attempting to attack the goats at night.Muriel !
Living at Mahenye- on the banks of the Save River which is the contact zone between the wilderness of Gonarezhou and the populous Mahenye village, we feel first hand the challenge of communities living with wildlife, maintaining our goat herds and and the same time conserving African wild dogs… one of whom is eaten by the other…!!
Wild Dog Mhume 1 Pencil on water paper A2 2024 (no background)
Last year one poor old lady in the village lost many of her goats to African wild dogs that denned near the village. The equivalent to someone in a town losing most of their savings, their sole bank balance, overnight to a fraudster….
Because predators can not see through the opaque sheeting of a mobile boma, even if they hear and smell the livestock within, they are wisely hesitant to jump into somewhere that they can not see into. So predator-proof Bomas are being tested, to corral livestock at night, to discourage leopard, lions, from attempting to attack the goats at night. Unfortunately the African wild dogs hunt late afternoon and early morning, so can catch any vulnerable goats that are not in a boma, or not watched over by people.
The presence of people and village dogs is a deterrent, as Wild dogs are essentially cautious and shy of people…
Goats love climbing over the semi hard clay bricks that are made in the village, before they are wood fired. (As do the village dogs…)
And so ….. many of my paintings are focussing on synergies between culture, people, goats and wild dogs – the ecosytems they inhabit…here are two original paintings, each poster size once stretched, 91 x 61 cm, created on the beloved local wrap fabrics (chitenge).
The (Painted) Wolf and the Goat .. A Painted Wolf, seeing a goat feeding on the edge of a high kopjie, where he could not come at her, besought her to come down lower, for fear she should miss her footing at that dizzy height. “Moreover,” said he, “the grass is far sweeter and more abundant here below.” But the Goat replied; “Excuse me; it is not for my dinner that you invite me, but for your own.”………
Lin Barrie, Goat (Mbudzi, Mbuti) Acrylic on pink handmade paper A2 with glasses collage 2025 and Wild Dog (Mhume) poster Acrylic on white watercolour paper A2 with glasses collage 2025.
Animal imagery is used worldwide and especially within Zimbabwe as Ngano, humorous and semi tragic moral tales, to conjure up worlds of tradition and custom, and also to examine human foibles. Goat fables, myths and legends abound ….
And now to the name Muriel! One of my forever reads is Animal Farm by George Orwell- and it has even been translated into Shona, Chimurenga Chemhuka (Animal Revolution), see my previous blog… by a group of Zimbabwean writers, led by novelist and lawyer Petina Gappah and poet Tinashe Muchuri, A dozen writers contributed to the translation of Chimurenga Chemhuka (Animal Revolution) over five years.
My favourite character in the book, of course, is Muriel who is a goat, one of the oldest animals on the farm and friends with all. Muriel is one of the few animals on the farm who can read, maybe that’s why I love her so, and she reads to the other animals who can not. Some of my collage artworks depict Muriel with funky reading glasses, or could they be blinkers?!…..
Lin Barrie, Goat (Mbudzi) Acrylic on purple handmade paper A2 with pink reading glasses collage on pink chitenge background …hmmm, even my toes are pink….dirty but at least pink.
Muriel survives by attending quietly to her own business, but in her simple way she is a game changer and an enabler for the other animals (she does not end up as a ‘scapegoat!), she dies a natural death in her old age, by eschewing politics!
GOATZ. Depicted through the ages in art by such as Picasso, Chagall, and our own Helen Lieros….
Helen Lieros, Sacrificial Goats
Universally inspirational always are these creatures, combined of myth and reality….. of spiritual and physical, in equal measure… My art respects them as symbols of fertility and abundance, examining their roles in our own village, in ancient mythology, acknowledging their religious symbolism from sacrifice to scapegoat, exploring their association with transformation and rebirth, and investigating their portrayal in popular culture and posters; honouring goats’ cultural history and ongoing enduring presence in human consciousness…
Lin barrie, Monoprints… duet green, soft red earth and black WITH GOAT SKETCHES 1 AND 2 AS BLACK AND WHITE OVERPRINT
One of the first animals to be domesticated, in Iran around 10,000 years ago, was the
GOAT!
The goat has been widely recognized as a symbol of fertility and abundance in various mythologies and cultural traditions. Goat worship, along with the notion of the goat as a sacred animal, can be traced back to ancient times. In many ancient civilizations, such as Egypt and Greece, goats were associated with gods and goddesses linked to fertility, agriculture, and prosperity.In Egyptian mythology, the god Amun was often depicted as a ram or a goat. As the god of creation and fertility, he represented the life-giving forces of nature. Similarly, in Greek mythology, Pan was portrayed as a half-human half-goat creature known as a satyr. He was considered the god of shepherds and flocks but also had associations with fertility and wildness.The symbolism of goats representing fertility is not limited to just these two cultures; it extends across various others around the world. For instance, in Celtic folklore, goats were believed to possess magical powers that could aid in successful farming and ensure bountiful harvests.Furthermore, the association between goats’ reproductive abilities and their status as symbols of abundance can be seen in rituals involving sacrificial offerings or prayers for an abundant life. These practices highlight the belief that by honoring or worshipping goats, one could invoke their fertile qualities for personal or communal benefit.
The Greatest of All Time (GOAT)
Goat skin skirt used muchongolo – the dance by men at festivals- also so called in ndau …
goat skin skirt
the fabulous goats ‘tails’ swing and bounce as the dancer moves..
FOR MORE ON THE CULTURE OF OUR LOWVELD TSONGA AND HLENGWE COMMUNITIES, READ MY BLOGPAGE
Lin Barrie – Changana (Xangana, Tsonga) man dancing with Goat skin skirt- oil painting on canvas 20
Mbudzi kudya mufenje, hufana nyina.
Definitions
mufenje: Small to medium sized deciduous tree.
nyina: female (human or animal) that is suckling
Translation
A goat feeds on the mufenje tree just like its mother.
Inspiration
Goats are natural browsers. They like to eat with their heads up, often reaching as high as they can for browse (food from trees, shrubs and dwarf shrubs) in a wooded area’s understory (a layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest).
Application
The habits and behavior of children very often reflect those of their parents.
Some more African goat proverbs… (I can feel possible paintings?!)
When a goat gives birth near people, it’s because she wants them to chase away the dog.
Shona proverb.
A big goat does not snort without reason
Look for a dark goat first in the daytime, you may not find him at night
It’s not the goat who should find out whether the lion has eaten
The frown on the face of a goat will not stop it from being taken to market
It’s out of ignorance that a goat will attend a leopards party
and some others…
A man with good judgement does not make the goat his gardener (Hungarian)
If a beard signified intelligence the goat would have been a genius
The goat must browse where she is tied (Romanian)
Love and hate are two horns on the same goat. (American)
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”
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…
2025 Artists Election, ArtHARARE at Investec Cape Town, 2025
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…)
Cover art by Wycliffe Mundopa (front) & Tapfuma Gutsa (back).
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 Collectivestage 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.
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)
Bantu Spaceships
Thando calls herself a ‘global African’ which sums up Bantu Spaceship’s meteoric orbit around the world this year!
Thando wearing Haus of Stone
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…
Kombo Chapfika Chenjerai varoyi (Beware of witches)
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!
Charles Nkomo
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)
Danayi Madondo
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)
Ivhu Tribe – always a meaningful spectacle
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.
Kelli and Tongai share a hug on the red carpet
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…
Hope Masike- Shuwa
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.
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…
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…
Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure
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
Chitende Fine Art, a selection of vibrant desirables!
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 …
two talented actresses take audience questions….Oscar gives sage advice and huge words of encouragement
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).
Read on- a wonderful article and great memories of Helen Lieros- here is “Sacrificial Goat, mixed media, by Helen – a formidable yet truly accessible artist- a legend indeed- by Tandazani Dhlakama…
The late Helen Lieros occupied herself with advancing art-making beyond the confines of stone sculpture, shaping the appreciation and reception of art in Zimbabwean society through Gallery Delta and Gallery magazine. Tandazani Dhlakama recalls her indelible imprint whilst revisiting her formidable life and art.
— Read on post.moma.org/helen-lieros-a-practice-underpinned-by-persistence-and-perseverance/
When I first viewed this powerful last work of Helen’s, I was very deeply moved, as months before we had discussed how The Nike of Samothrace, the Greek winged goddess of victory, had entranced me years ago when I learnt about her at art college, and years later started sketching and translating her into some of my artworks… which were to go on exhibition at the “Freedom Exhibition” at Gallery Delta
Partly in thanks to my mentorship by dear, fierce Helen, I now truly feel like I, with age on me and a lifetime of drawing behind me, am ‘emerging’- building on my past experience but creating deeper and hopefully more compelling storytelling in my art.
Hopefully I can embrace more self/realization, more experimentation and more bold discovery in my older years, a form of “taking flight”, a winged victory….
Helen Lieros mentored me during the months before the “Freedom” exhibition, so shortly before she died, a mentorship that I will always treasure and build on.
I have embraced Helen’s wise art advice – “…taking a step backwards to go forwards” … back to my roots of drawing drawing drawing; life-drawing and draughtsmanship, and then pushing that to larger canvases…
At present that includes my passion for goats, the culture and character of goats and the stories (ngano) and proverbs (Tsumo) worldwide and in Africa, that centre around goats.
My local fabric wrap (Chimatsatsa) is going to be a collage with an acrylic painted goat on canvas, which I am working on. Watch this space!
I’ll feature this wonderful glorious green-horned pattern-
Helen also was a goat lover- depicting them often in her work as sacrificial, beneficial or scapegoat… many representations and always powerful.
Such a universal language goats create- such as the well read and non-voting goat Muriel in Animal Farm by George Orwell…
I am excited!
Thank you for the inspiration, always, dear Helen.
Living on through what is now the Nhaka Gallery (Helen Matsvisi)
a formidable yet truly accessible artist- a legend indeed- by 
wine and wild dogs 