NATIONAL Arts Merit Awards (Nama) winner for the Best Visual Art Exhibition Admire Kamudzengerere has labelled Cheuka Harare Art Fair, recently held at the Harare Show Grounds, an opportunity for local art lovers and curators to fully explore the abundant cultural diversity in the arts industry.
Kamudzengerere, who was co-organiser, said people should come in their numbers to support the next editions of the arts event.
He said Harare Agricultural Show Grounds activities usually brought together more than 200 000 people in space of one week and the Cheuka Harare Art fair shared the audience with the giant Nama23 event.
The fair is rooted in the Shona word "cheuka", which means reflect, look back or reconsider.
It is an invitation to pause and examine: to reflect on where Zimbabwean art has come from, to appreciate where it stands today and to dream boldly about its future.
“Our approach was not to curate a specific creative response but it was meant to allow different curators to have an opportunity to exhibit the diverse cultural creative works found in their proximity,” Kamudzengerere said.
“Our approach draws inspiration from the Cape Town Art Fair which is a monumental exhibition which brings haphazardly curated artefacts from the African continent and the international community. We have brought together creative works from several artist-driven spaces with a strategic intent to mentor and refine an artist in addition to developing talent.
“Galleries are commercial entities that are safeguarded by several laws which include but are not limited to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act and honouring privacy. Such places are difficult to enter and as such the Cheuka Harare Art Fair provides more room for several visual artists to get noticed.
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Cheuka Art Fair stood out to be more than just an exhibition; in fact it is a living archive of stories, emotions, politics, identity and heritage. Each canvas, sculpture, installation or performance serves as a testament to the resilience and evolution of Zimbabwean creativity in the face of economic, social and political challenges.
Merilyn Mushakwe commented that the inaugural art fair emulates several successful exhibitions and art fares across the globe.
“We are looking for a broad recognition of creative works in the several studios and collectives in and around Harare and the whole nation. As such the Cheuka Harare Art Fair is a platform which should be utilised by local and international artists,” said Mushakwe.
The Cheuka Harare Art Fair had collections such as the Mapondera Collection which featured works by Kombo Chapfika, Amanda Shingirai Mushate and Tamary Kudita. The Gallery 33.0 carried the theme Creating Space for women and had works by Kundai Nathan, Shalom Kufakwatenzi, Mercy Moyo and Primrose Chiringandu. The Bepa Gallery echoed the theme Construct and showcased works by Lomedy Mhako, Zibusiso Tshuma, Kressiah Mukwazhi, Samurai Farai and Ishmael Hajea Mposa.
