Chitungwiza artists exhibit at US airport
THE first beneficiaries of the Chitungwiza Arts Centre recently joined their peers from Harare for exhibitions at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in the United States.
The arrangement was part of the airport’s objective to provide a platform for artists, museums, galleries and private collectors to interact through exposure to the best of what the world offers in the genre of stone art.
Among sculptors whose works were on exhibition were the world-acclaimed Dominic Benhura, Agnes and Gedion Nyanhongo, Norbert Shamuyarira, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Edronce Rukodzi, Joe Mutasa, Sylvester Mubayi, Lameck Bonjisi and Amos Supuni.
The event was hosted under the auspices of the Hartsfield-Jackson’s Airport Art Programme to afford passengers travelling to and from various destinations across the world a rare opportunity to have a glimpse of the best of Zimbabwean art, even without having set foot in the country.
According to airport officials, the programme has three major components — commissioning artists to create site-specific artwork, presenting rotating exhibitions, and scheduling performing arts series.
Each part of the three facets of the programme strives to meet the Department of Aviation’s goal of becoming the world’s best airport by exceeding customer expectations.
“From joyous youth art created by Georgian students right up to exhibits from the South’s top museums, passengers will be able to find something new to inspire and challenge them when visiting Hartsfield-Jackson,” an official at the airport told The Herald in an interview.
New York-based lawyer and businessman, Edward Mendy, who passed through the airport in the company of his son, said he was thrilled to find such a huge collection of the finest of Zimbabwean stone art all under one roof.
Mendy, who visited Zimbabwe for the first time in December 2005, said while he had not had time to tour galleries during his short stay, the sight of the pieces on display at the airport were enough to make him want to visit again.
“I think Zimbabweans are arguably the best when it comes to this form of art,” she said.
“The styles of each artist are both unique and distinct and what’s more catching to the eye is the fact that they each tell a story that has an African appeal.
“My son and I took a whole hour to scrutinise each and every piece and we, of course, did not forget to take photographs for the family photo album.”
A week ago, Sports, Arts and Recreation Minister Kazembe Kazembe toured Chitungwiza Arts Centre and promised that Government will ensure the establishment of four new arts centres as part of his 100-day plan to give more space to artists to showcase their products and services.
“Most artists suffer from lack of exposure because we have few places where they can exhibit their stuff,” he said.