The effects of COVID-19 continue to haunt, with the National Arts Gallery of Zimbabwe announcing the closure of its Manicaland branch on December 31.
Visual artists say they had not been consulted prior to the decision to close the gallery.
A notice posted in the visual arts Shaurayi Tione social media group directed exhibitors to remove their displayed materials by November 15.
Over the past years the National Art Gallery's primary mission has been to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the nation's artistic heritage, promoting art appreciation, education and cultural enrichment.
The National Arts Galleries in Zimbabwe are run by the government and carry out operations which include and are not limited to collection management duties like acquiring, conserving and documenting artworks, exhibition planning like curating temporary and permanent exhibitions, education and programmes like offering lectures, workshops, events and research and scholarship. Other duties are supporting art through historical research and publications among others. In this regard the gallery serves purposes such as preservation and safeguarding artworks for the future generations and providing art historical context and appreciation for the school going and the adults.
While the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture is primarily responsible for national galleries, other ministries may also be involved in related aspects such as, Tourism and Hospitality Industry (tourism development), Home Affairs (national security and protection of cultural sites) and Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (environmental conservation). In a wide ranging conversations some artists demanded hearing, while others could not bodly express themselves to take over the entity.
NewsDay Life & Style sought comments from artists on the closure of the gallery.
Elizabeth Muusha regional director at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Mutare since May 2008
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I suggest positive energy among artists as they are the most affected people in this case. As the breadwinners with expectations, for example, to provide for the families during this festive season, l suggest they use their existing spaces as well embracing the internet in marketing themselves.
In as much as all seem shattered, view such as opportunities a chance for growing closer together and speak with one voice to convince the powers that be with regards to supporting the creative industry. Find each other and collaborate in realising your dreams as artists and for easy location by your partners . Do not lose hope.
Medicey Muchichwa,textile tutor sales and marketing manager National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Mutare
My heart is bleeding due to the closure of the gallery. I have been working in the arts fraternity from 1996 when I was still a young woman. By then l worked with women at the Bonda Arts Centre and moved to the gallery.
I'm feeling as if my world has vanished, because leaving Manicaland artists is going to make me miserable, though l will still be working at the head office. My fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and children in the arts industry in Mutare will be like fishes out of water and our Manicaland will be poorer without a National Gallery, especially the schools.
The gallery was conveniently placed and supported the new curriculum 5.0 and they benefited a lot in visual performing art since this gallery was situated at a historical and heritage site. Personally I'm emotionally disturbed. I can spend the whole day writing. I'm not blaming the decisions made, but if those who made this decision knew the history of visual or even art as a whole, Manicaland should be applauded, because most famous artists from first generation up to today, are from Manicaland .
David Chimuka visual artist
We were all overjoyed when the National Arts Gallery of Zimbabwe opened its doors in Mutare and Manicaland at large. I was one of the few artists who made quick steps to exhibit my creative works. This lifted us up in many ways. And now we receive this message about the closing down of the gallery. This is shocking.
Taurainashe T Tegede or Blackman Arts an aspiring media arts personal writer production manager, researcher concept creator and developer
The closure of the Manicaland Gallery is equated to a loss of legacy and heritage. We would like to trace historical activities like the closure of Media for Development Trust which produced world class films like Neria, Jiti, Yellow Card, More Time and Consequences, among others.
The government set the pace through funding the production of the King Solomon movie which consequently motivated many actors to choose carriers into film acting. The gallery provided employment, entertainment and education while it put Manicaland visual artists on the world map.
