Online gallery pushes educational pieces
ZIMBABWE’S oldest online gallery, Avac Arts, has ramped up its drive to push for equality in education through sculpture.
The gallery, which has been a major driving force in pushing education-themed sculptures, on Monday donated an art piece to the Catholic University in Zimbabwe as part of its efforts to spread influence to tertiary institutions.
The sculpture by Chitungwiza Arts Centre-based artist Personal Zenda was handed over to the university’s officials at a graduation ceremony held at Meikles Hotel.
Carved from white opal stone, the art piece ‘Knowledge Is Power’ depicts a girl holding a book.
It was handed over by Avac Arts founder Terrence Musiyiwa who was graduating as part of the first edition Global E4Impact Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Global Impact Entrepreneurship.
The executive programme trains both active and aspiring entrepreneurs in the start-up and or scaling up of their businesses.
The programme is offered in partnership with the Catholic University of Zimbabwe and confers a degree from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan, Italy.
“The name of our country Zimbabwe in derived from Dzimbahwe, which originates from the word dzimba dzemabwe which can be loosely translated to house of stone, thus sculpture is a great part of our culture and heritage,” said Musiyiwa.
“As young people, we are the present and future of our nation. Our country needs entrepreneurs now more than ever so we can find lasting solutions to deal with our challenges.”
Musiyiwa said though many may point out the lack of capital as the major stumbling block, entrepreneurship demanded people to think outside the box and create avenues that were solution-based.
“Let us make sure we build a country and leave a good enough heritage for future generations,” he said.
Zenda joined Chitungwiza Arts Centre in 2013 working as an assistant to Tamuka Njanji, washing and polishing his sculptures.
He now makes sculptures in the form of human and many other figurative creations.
“I’m happy to have one of my works being gifted to such a huge institution. I am passionate about education and I believe it should be accessed by everyone, especially the girl child who has for long been undermined in this regard,” said Zenda.
Established in 2003, Avac Arts is Zimbabwe’s first online gallery that helps artists to sell their work and puts their pieces before buyers.
The organisation works with over 300 artists and aims to help them focus on their craft, and leave it to Avac to do the marketing and administrative tasks.