by artweb
The street art scene in Harare has become more vibrant and dynamic, thanks in large part to movements like Caligraph, which just hosted the second edition of their street art exhibition, Art Passa Passa, in Budiriro this past Sunday. This event marked a significant milestone for the platform, showcasing how much the movement has grown since its inception. We had the opportunity to speak with one of the founders, Nyasha Jeche, who shared insights into the evolution of Art Passa Passa, the impact on the community, and the future of street art in Zimbabwe.
Reflecting on the growth of Art Passa Passa, Nyasha explained that the first exhibition was more of a pilot project. "In the first exhibition, we didn’t have much artwork, and we didn’t collaborate with many local artists. We were testing the waters to see how it could work. It was small in scale," he said. However, the second edition was a different story. "We were more confident, had a bit of a budget, and collaborated with more artists. The artworks were bigger and more numerous, and we worked with a specific theme. We’ve moved from point A to point B with significant progress," he added, emphasizing the strides made since their initial foray into the public art scene.
Choosing Budiriro as the location for the event was a deeply personal decision for Nyasha. “Budiriro is my neighborhood. I grew up here and still live here, so I know everyone in the streets. Hosting the event in this area was natural for us,” he said. By bringing art to high-density and rural areas, Caligraph aims to make art accessible to those who typically do not have the opportunity to experience it in galleries or museums. “We always emphasize that we need to beautify our spaces and teach arts to the kids in the community. Art should be for everyone, and it was incredible to see children engaging with it, asking to be taught how to create. It showed us that they see its power and are inspired by it,” Nyasha noted.
The Caligraph movement, which Nyasha describes as youth-led and focused on urban and street culture, is more than just a collective of artists. "Our movement includes mural street art by Caligraph, Skeyi & Strobo, and we host Art Passa Passa, the Fabrik Party, and the Downtown Conversations. It’s about highlighting our creativity as the youth, as the future of this nation. We want to leave our mark and inspire others to pursue their artistic and creative passions,” he said. For Nyasha and the team at Caligraph, art is not just a profession but a calling, a way to assert their identity and influence the culture around them.
Nyasha’s passion for working with young artists is evident. “I am a curator and love collaborating with young creatives because we can unite our ideas and inspire each other. We’ve been shaping Harare’s urban culture from the start. We’ve influenced street art in Harare, Bulawayo, and beyond, beautifying spaces and promoting a positive urban aesthetic,” he shared. The impact of their work is visible across the country, where vibrant murals and public art installations have become landmarks in many communities.
Like any pioneering initiative, Caligraph has faced its share of challenges. “Financing is a major issue. Events like these require a lot of money, and we didn’t have any partners or sponsors initially,” Nyasha admitted. However, they received support from Dulux Zimbabwe, which provided paint for the artworks. Navigating the bureaucratic hurdles was also a challenge, requiring police clearances and city approvals. “It was difficult to sit down with the city authorities and get permissions, but we persevered. Now we’re at a point where we’re collaborating with the city and the police to use public spaces for our events,” he explained.
Looking to the future, Nyasha is optimistic but realistic about expansion. “We’re open to taking Art Passa Passa wherever it’s needed, whether that’s Zambia, South Africa, or even the UK. But right now, we’re focused on solidifying our foundation here in Zimbabwe. There are no immediate plans to expand, as we want to make sure we’ve perfected what we’re doing first,” he said.
As for how the community can support Caligraph’s efforts, Nyasha’s message is simple: show up. “People need to attend our events—Fabrik Party, Downtown Conversations, Art Passa Passa—see what’s happening, and then we can find ways to collaborate and share resources and ideas,” he urged.
The sucess of the second edition of artPassa Passa’s is a testament to the power of community, creativity, and resilience. With artist led platforms like Caligraphy, it is not just about creating art but building a movement that empowers young artists, transforms urban spaces, and inspires a new generation to embrace the transformative power of street art.
(All images supplied by Caligraph)
CaliGraph IG @CaliGraph.co
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