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”, “dancing” with 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…
onwards into the next phase, my interpretations of flight will flow into Dance …
Thank you for the inspiration, always, dear Helen.
At the Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank, Jozi, I visit Madlozi Contemporary Art Gallery’s show, The Africa Salon,
..my Art Collector Passport unlocks the experience…(thank you Art Harare for the symbolic art passport!)
My Art Collector Passport unlocks the experience…as I am drawn in to bravely coloured walls, deep hued and mysterious, embracing glowing artworks – this is not another white cube -it’s a RED cube!!!
On the floor is an 18-piece installation by Snelihle Maphumulo titled ‘“Umnikelo” (The Serving/offering) investigating themes of service in Nguni cultures.
Photo credit from Visi Magazine article
This is an exhibition that is multi layered indeed- including Neo Theku’s powerful photo series… and a live performance by him addressing the knife edge situation and challenges facing so many young, often fatherless, men in our society ..
Neo Theku-Powerful imagery –
Contemporary Africa in our image .. as an art offering curated by Beathur Magoza Baker, this is a fitting follow on to The Africa Remix 2004 which showed 80 African artists to the world art market.
Artists lineup…
I loved meeting Beathur, who, in bringing together established and emerging artists, says: “I really enjoyed creating an experience for an exhibition and gallery audience that resonates with a diverse, contemporary Africa in the shades and colour, textures and resonant forms that connect with shared cultural symbols and themes.”
She entranced me with her narratives of the various artists – and I immersed myself in the soft earth colours used by Nandipha Jantjies- such a contract to all the other painters who were mostly bold and bright..
Nandipha Jantjies – seductive earth colours
This diverse art, this multi-layered “Africaness”, is expertly pulled together into a satisfying exhibition by Beathur, connecting artist and viewers with shared culture and themes.
Segun Aiyesan -detail from The Toil of Man-the use of acrylic and impasto texture pulls me in …and the enigmatic hieroglyphs/Asemic writing grabs me…
Segun Aiyesan, details from The Toil of Man
The glorious signature colours of David Chinyama …
David Chinyama, painting detail..
George Masarira delights me as always, brave and symbolic as he is..
Detail from Usi’ Patheleni-The Money Changers of Downtown Harare by George Masarira
Graphic faces, accusing, shifting, resigned and somehow sad eyes, painted money (or the lack of it!!), a piercing social commentary from George…
Madlozi Gallery created walkabout sessions with artists and I was luckily able to catch up with George beforehand to chat, in the delightful Freshly Ground coffee shop below the gallery -always cool, George –
George Masarira hiding his expressive eyes…
Backed up by an African Liberty on the wall behind him- a beauty !
Wall mural
George dropping his guard and dropping his shades for me! …beautiful eyes
Gentle knowing eyes, dear George…
My trusty DesignLife tote bag goes everywhere…
Design Life tote – proudly zimbabwean
Madlozi, Black and female-owned, is a refreshing and innovative gallery, creating art experiences beyond the ‘white cube’.
Featuring the further works of such as Silas Abrifor, Washington Kirika, Lisolomzi Pikoli, wide ranging from print to graffiti, mixed media to acrylics, all these mediums pull together to inspire me -thank you @madlozi_artgallery
And featured in a VISI magazine article on Madlozi Art and The Africa Salon…
That red wall!!!’
And George’s graphic art ..
Credit: Visi magazine photo
All photographs (unless stated otherwise) and opinions, are my own …!
I enter the Origins Centre -the museum at Wits University, with great anticipation – carrying my Art Harare Art passport as a tangible memory in the making…
art harare passport, stamped with my ochre thumbprint ..
An EXHIBITION is opening : “Hold me said the Earth” by Ann Gollifer, curated by Kim Karabo Makin.
‘Hold me said the Earth’ invites us to consider the ways in which our identities are shaped by history, geography, and personal experience. And a huge meshed map of Africa at the entrance to the museum encourages our sense of a geographical exploration – a journey –
passport to ART and history, culture, geography at the Origins Centre
Tammy Hodgskiss has created a pathway of discovery in this seductive earthy ‘Origins’ space – and even before I get to the exhibition rooms I am entranced by the displays…
stone tools in Fibonacci spirals…
A visual feast
Earth, Ochre and engraved ostrich shells …
shell receptacles for ochre and earth resonate with me ,
And here is Ann’s own snail shell paint holder- created from a giant African snail shell.
Ann’s shell receptacle
…using shells as I do myself for holding earth pigment, I feel the joy of kindred practices…
After musing over the snail shell, I fully enter the amazing elemental space that houses Ann’s ochre earth creations …
Stunning cakes of ochre squat on the concrete floor holding the promise of layered stories within –
At last after years of online chats I get to meet up with lovely Ann herself…
Ann Gollifer
and here is a beautiful team
portrait of Ann with the Guns & Rain Gallery team…
Guns & Rain team, Julie, Laura and Dimakatso, with Ann
Julie Taylor of Guns & Rain, drawn into the exquisitely fine details ..
Julie Taylor
Saturated pigments of deeply moving hue draw me in my turn into Ann’s work – handprints, map making, mark making, brushwork…
I record a photo of the ochre thumbprint in my artharare art passport – against Ann’s work- an indelible memory for me, thank you Ann!
Here outlined arms and hands on a folded “map” seem to morph into fantastic giraffes…telling their own story
hand or giraffe? ..
a tree hung with ochre scribed boards sways gently, while a visiting anthropologist views Ann’s art video in the background
Anthropology and art, installation and video…
Ann Gollifer’s work is a deeply personal history, centred on her use of pigments derived from earth colours found in Botswana,
Catalogued and carefully labeled earth colours lovingly documented
This is something more than just colour –
this is history, culture, identity…true storytelling..
“Her (Ann’s) art is a call to reflection, urging us to consider our own personal mythologies and how they intersect with the larger narratives of race, gender, and nationality” – Khumo Sebambo.
Reflecting this ongoing story of humankind, I meet charming Dr Tien, anthropologist from Cape Town, and a team of fascinating visiting anthropologists who are attending multiple workshops country wide …
Tien and a team of enthusiastic and fascinating anthropologists attends the opening…
a powerful and moving Exhibition curated by Kim Karabo Makin.
Ann is intent …
Entertaining and moving presentations ..
A Delightful trio ! Kim with Ann and Mma Motsei Nkwemabala
– thank you !
A few in the crowd including curator Kim Karabo Makin
shells ochre and synergies – I can not wait to next attend the workshop hosted by ANN and her fellow ochre collaborator MMA MOTSEI NKWEMABALA
A MATERIAL PRACTICE: A WORKSHOP ON PROCESS WITH ANN MARY GOLLIFER AND MMA MOTSEI NKWEMABALAAnn’s mark making
These coloured earths that I have collected in Mahenye with our community are characterful and gritty
textures telling stories..
Elemental earth, (kaolin related, I think), that I have collected at Kaya Nyala, creates Asemic writing, hieroglyphs on my pages …
In the Chauke Humba story, the fire embers were set on a bed of earth within the snail shell and covered with dung, to safely carry them for a distance-
Giant African snail shell and earth pigment collected at Kaya Nyala
#allthingsconnected – the shell was/is also a perfect receptacle – a palette, to hold earth pigment … #totems #traditions #culture #hlengwe #chaukeclan #mahenye #gazaland #art #chaukehumba #fire #cooking #giantlandsnail #oraltradition #storytelling #southeastzimbabwe #earthpigment #hearth #painting
Miombo magic – a view forever at Miombo Lodge and Spa…
Kelli absorbing that view forever…
In association with Bepa Gallery… an art exhibition…. Lomedy’s Fish face on the cover of the invite-
run by Jo and Josefina, Bepa Gallery is showing five Zimbabwean artists in the high roofed well lit spaces at Miombo Mountain Lodge and Spa. …
Erhuardt Muchemwa browsing the catalogue
Erhuardt Muchemwa’s sculpture seems to expansively invite us to enjoy the space, embrace the art….
An easy drive from Harare, Miombo Lodge is nestled in Msasas and Flame Trees is the Christenbank Conservation Area,
Such a special space for African Plant Hunter Gus Le Breton and his creative wife Ananda who transforms nespresso pods into exquisite jewellery… seen here on Kelli Barker in LA earlier this year…
Thinking red- that t shirt of Kelli’s!!!….Always this flamboyant colour moves my soul to delight – and reflects in my painting -here’s a close up detail ..
detail from Flamboyant I, acrylic on loose canvas, 110 x 180 cm
nature in the form of flamboyants and deep green Msasas embraces us – a flamboyant flower close up is a frilly dream – dear exotics that have naturalized in Zimbabwe… like any other immigrants works wide they all have a place in the ecosystem- #allthingsconnected
as we arrive on Friday 8th November to the opening of the art exhibition bepa gallery… I am reminded of the joy I had creating my large paintings –
Lin Barrie – Flamboyant I, acrylic on loose canvas, 110 x 180 cm
Embracing the glorious tree canopy, well lit exhibition rooms are tucked like glowing jewels…
Miombo mountain lodge and spa
And within that superb space, Lomedy Mhako’s prints reflect the essence, the connections of everyday life and culture ….
Lomedy Mhako
Untitled – on the cover of the catalogue, Lomedy and I discussed- my favourite print of his, we discussed and I suggested a title of moyo wangu – the Victorian type hairstyle/headpiece could be a soft brown heart- the Victorian style ruff not quite the stiff reality of a ruff rather a soft framing of the enigmatic dark face scribbled over by mesmerizing blue lines …..
Bepa art catalogue
Lies told by artists series – these are such a clever use of a seductive basic androgynous body template telling stories in the elemental changes wrought by a simple difference in position of line work – a body bending with the wind, flexible for better of for worse – bending to survive and adapt, or twisting to mask real emotions, real intent?!
Looking back from the spa towards the main living area of the lodge from the inviting pool….
Reflections at Miombo Lodge
And within the main living area and dining room more art gems are displayed… Richard Witikani “We differ but we are one” multi portraits -one central portrait, simple and unadorned, anchors the various other masked, paintiedand ornamented faces- some in traditional type cultural marks but others crossing into a superhero type mask – Kelli the make up artist is entranced by this artwork….
Erhuardt Muchemwa in front of his wood sculpture and Richard Witikani’s work
Richard is a firm multi media art star in the Zimbabwean art horizon
Percy Manyonga – stitching his stories together with thread and found fabrics
Jo , Jose and friends in front of Percy’s work
up close detail – Percy weaves stories in every stitch
Percy Manyonga -detail – a stitch in time….
and Percy’s portraits tell their own layered tales, whimsical, often humorous sometimes dark – all the elements of human nature- here’s my favourite – what is that dog thinking?….
Percy Manyonga
Joanne Powell and Josefina in front of Tinotenda Chivinge’s Swallow Series
Tinotenda Chivinge Swallow Series- such witty found objects work- I admired the instinctive connections between trash object to create personas
Oh!!! Eat your heart out El Anatsui !!! …At the entrance to the living area of Miombo Lodge, Zibusiso Tshumai from Bulawayo displays a shimmering sheet of treasured delight- here is the full piece against a red brick wall …
…Zibusiso collects tin cans and alchemist see them with heat and compression to a form of treasure – trash treasure
dinner
Trash Treasure backdrop as artists and guests chat … at dinner time
Beginning years ago in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, an epic…. the story of a child, living on the streets, surviving by scavenging on the municipal dump, battered and bruised but rising against all odds, daring to dream …..
Kelli’s test make up, pre-shooting, on child actor Sikhanyisio Ngwenye
Director and writer, Jessica J. Rowlands vision for a film grew, centered on the child’s true story,
The vision grew on the railway tracks…
on location
The vision grew on the municipal dump….
Make up station on location- at the dump
The vision grew in the boxing ring…
Kelli tries boxing gloves for size…
Joe Njagu ably producing, this teamwork gave powerful life to the story in the tourism town of Victoria Falls …
A creative force
Joe and Kelli on location
Kelli began to perfect bruised and battered make up effects for the movie well before the filming …practicing on Biggie (who has helped her with other film projects over the last few years as well! )
Kelli had done extensive pre-test make ups on friend Biggie-
I have waited in anticipation for this 25 minute short film… – a culmination of last years hard work by the Rise crew in Victoria Falls.
and at last here we go -heading to Joina City movie house in harare for the premiere
driving in Fanwell’s “little limo”
driven by our dear friend, and ex gardener, Kelli’s ‘brother’ Fanwell who himself is a self-made success story – fighting the odds from humble beginnings to get his drivers licence and now owner is a small fleet of taxi cabs and a “little limo” – (no stretch limo needed for us) ….. braving the chaotic Harare traffic..
Kelli and Fanwell
Zimbabweans are known for punching above their weight….
Sikhanyisio Ngwenye and Kelli Barker at the after party – looking fierce… facing life!
Kelli’s poignant make up on Ska:
Sikhanisio Ngwenye (Ska) and Kelli Barker make up –
Close up:
Sikhanyisio Ngwenye (Ska) and Kelli Barker make up –
The fab flyer… RISE!
and this premier on screen at Ster Kinekor Joina City in Harare last week was an affirmation of creative teamwork, film family and perseverance against all odds…
Kelli Barker MUA,; Jessica Rowlands, Director,; Tobias, Boxer and Inspiration….
some lovely red carpet moments before the screening …
Joe Njagu in a magnificent Jaspizy jacketTongai Chirisa and KelliEddie Sandifolo – so cool in blueDear friend and fellow creative, Sebastien Lallemande and Kellired carpet buzz
Popcorn was dispensed and we eagerly went into the movie house …. Well done Jessica for persevering, true to the spirit of the film, as the audience and cast remained steadfast and patient in the face of some technical cinema glitches and a few false starts …!!!
Popcorn kept us entertained while technical movie house glitches were surmounted ….
Jessica prevailed. After a powerful and very moving 25 minutes of Rise, we emerged from the movie theatre energized and inspired by the strong vision and storytelling – eager to see this become a full length feature in the future, after doing the short film circuit and Sundance Film Festival… fingers crossed.
Happily heading off to Saints and Sinners for an after party..
Nakai Matema and Kelli (who’s the Saint, who’s the Sinner ?!?!)
paparazzi…
Signing Rise t shirts.. can’t wash that now…Chatting to friend, charismatic lead actor Tongai ChirisaExciting new ideas in the pipeline…always…Intense creative brainstorming with actress Sibongile Mlambo- gorgeous zimbabwe style…
Watch out for Rise! (Eat your heart out Rocky…)
And breaking news now in 2025 added:
For the NAMAS awards 2025, #ska is nominated in the line up!!So proud of Ska, our brilliant young Zimbabwean actor who is nominated for best actor at the National Arts Merit Awards for the film RISE
a formidable yet truly accessible artist- a legend indeed- by 
The Africa Salon; my Art Collector Passport unlocks the experience…
At the Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank, Jozi, I visit Madlozi Contemporary Art Gallery’s show, The Africa Salon,
My Art Collector Passport unlocks the experience…as I am drawn in to bravely coloured walls, deep hued and mysterious, embracing glowing artworks – this is not another white cube -it’s a RED cube!!!
On the floor is an 18-piece installation by Snelihle Maphumulo titled ‘“Umnikelo” (The Serving/offering) investigating themes of service in Nguni cultures.
This is an exhibition that is multi layered indeed- including Neo Theku’s powerful photo series… and a live performance by him addressing the knife edge situation and challenges facing so many young, often fatherless, men in our society ..
Contemporary Africa in our image .. as an art offering curated by Beathur Magoza Baker, this is a fitting follow on to The Africa Remix 2004 which showed 80 African artists to the world art market.
I loved meeting Beathur, who, in bringing together established and emerging artists, says: “I really enjoyed creating an experience for an exhibition and gallery audience that resonates with a diverse, contemporary Africa in the shades and colour, textures and resonant forms that connect with shared cultural symbols and themes.”
She entranced me with her narratives of the various artists – and I immersed myself in the soft earth colours used by Nandipha Jantjies- such a contract to all the other painters who were mostly bold and bright..
This diverse art, this multi-layered “Africaness”, is expertly pulled together into a satisfying exhibition by Beathur, connecting artist and viewers with shared culture and themes.
Segun Aiyesan -detail from The Toil of Man-the use of acrylic and impasto texture pulls me in …and the enigmatic hieroglyphs/Asemic writing grabs me…
The glorious signature colours of David Chinyama …
George Masarira delights me as always, brave and symbolic as he is..
Graphic faces, accusing, shifting, resigned and somehow sad eyes, painted money (or the lack of it!!), a piercing social commentary from George…
Madlozi Gallery created walkabout sessions with artists and I was luckily able to catch up with George beforehand to chat, in the delightful Freshly Ground coffee shop below the gallery -always cool, George –
Backed up by an African Liberty on the wall behind him- a beauty !
George dropping his guard and dropping his shades for me! …beautiful eyes
My trusty DesignLife tote bag goes everywhere…
Madlozi, Black and female-owned, is a refreshing and innovative gallery, creating art experiences beyond the ‘white cube’.
Featuring the further works of such as Silas Abrifor, Washington Kirika, Lisolomzi Pikoli, wide ranging from print to graffiti, mixed media to acrylics, all these mediums pull together to inspire me -thank you @madlozi_artgallery
And featured in a VISI magazine article on Madlozi Art and The Africa Salon…
That red wall!!!’
And George’s graphic art ..
All photographs (unless stated otherwise) and opinions, are my own …!