Masimba Hwati is representing Zimbabwe in the Venice Biennial, from May 7 on.
People Evolve Series.
About:
And interrogator of postcolonial hangover cultures with definitions that delineate contemporary African and Zimbabwean art forms. My work is constantly being directed towards becoming a search and a suggestive mould and antidote for some of technical and ideological challenges that face post modernistic Africa, in this case Zimbabwe. Since early 2003, I have engaged myself in a pennant like pilgrimage, not to use “handed over” or culturally sublet material in my work. This move in my work has pushed towards a direction where I’m in continuous search of new material and ideologies that define contemporary Zimbabwean art.
In this “new found” penance and separation I have developed defining lines such as “paint on canvas is for wimps in this part of the world.” This has brought about a radical disengagement from conventional patterns of art.
People Evolve Series.
I have witnessed several interesting developments in my students who I have exposed to this principle. My teaching experience at the Harare Polytechnic has always been characterized by campaign traits that seek to push the culturally complacent ideas, from being consumerist to being innovative and solution hunting landmarks. I have used several alternative materials in my work from animal hides, found material, soil, animal bones and other cultural and anthropological relevant material.
In this I have come up with and developed theories such as the “energy of objects” and “therapeutic points” in the process of art making. My search for new media and alternative audience has led me to develop and implement the idea of art therapy in hospitals.
