by Editor
As August dawns in Zimbabwe, the nation prepares to celebrate Heroes Day, a pivotal event in the country’s calendar. This day, observed on the second Monday of August, honors the gallant men and women who sacrificed their lives during the liberation struggle, which led to Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. This national holiday is a time for reflection and recognition of the enduring spirit of those who fought against colonial oppression, ensuring the country's freedom and sovereignty.
Heroes Day celebrations are marked by various activities, including a significant ceremony at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, where speeches, parades, and musical performances take place. While this day primarily honors political and military figures, it’s also an opportune time to celebrate Zimbabwean visual artists who have significantly contributed to the nation's rich artistic heritage. These artists have captured the essence of Zimbabwe’s struggles, triumphs, and everyday life through their creative expressions, many gaining international acclaim and leaving a lasting impact on the art world.
Here, we highlight ten important visual artists every Zimbabwean must know, whose work has left an indelible mark on the country’s cultural landscape:
1. Luis Meque
Luis Meque, a Mozambican-born painter, lived and worked in Zimbabwe from the age of twenty until his passing in 1998. Renowned for his evocative paintings that captured life in Zimbabwe during the 1990s, Meque's work conveyed movement through bold brushwork. He held several exhibitions at Gallery Delta in Harare, where he depicted the mood of the streets with striking colors and strong, simple strokes. His vibrant canvases reflected the diversity and complexity of Zimbabwean society, inviting viewers to reflect on the intersections of past, present, and future.
Meque's work is held in public and private collections around the world.
2. Helen Lieros
Helen Lieros was a prominent figure in the Zimbabwean artistic landscape, renowned for her exceptional work across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and printmaking, often addressing social and political issues. Born in 1940 in Gweru, Zimbabwe, she was the daughter of a Greek seaman who had stayed in Rhodesia after being shipwrecked.
Lieros is best known for her murals at the Greek Orthodox Church in Maputo. Her work is featured in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, the Cabinet des Estamps and Centre de la Gravure in Geneva, and the Museum of African Arts in Paris.
In 1975, alongside her husband Derek Huggins, she founded Gallery Delta in Salisbury (now Harare). Established during a period of sanctions, intermittent conflict, and looming civil war, Gallery Delta was initially located on Manica Road. The gallery was envisioned as an alternative space for artists, distinct from the dominant Shona sculpture tradition.
Helen Lieros passed away in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of highly textured works and a significant impact on Zimbabwe's visual art landscape. She was a renowned mentor and art teacher, influencing many leading Zimbabwean visual artists such as Misheck Masamvu, Admire Kamudzengerere, Richard Mudariki, Virginia Chihota, and Portia Zvavahera.
3. Hilary Kashiri
Hilary Kashiri, an abstract painter, was born in 1968 in Mazowe. He studied at the BAT Workshop in Harare from 1991 to 1992, alongside contemporaries such as Luis Meque, Richard Witikani, and George Churu. Kashiri's work is characterized by intricate layering and visual textures, often depicting landscapes.
His breakthrough came at the Tupelo Workshop in Cape Town in 1995, and his first solo exhibition at Gallery Delta in 1998 established him as a serious painter. Until his death in 2001, he exhibited widely in Zimbabwe and Europe. His works are held in private collections worldwide.
4. Marjorie Wallace
Marjorie Wallace was a renowned Zimbabwean ceramist, celebrated for her decorative, handmade stoneware and porcelain pieces. Known for their simple shapes, her works appealed to collectors for their artistic qualities rather than their utility. Born in Bulawayo, she graduated from the Michaelis School of Fine Art in Cape Town before returning to Harare to teach art at various government schools and Harare Polytechnic.
Wallace's ceramics uniquely connected pottery with nature, art, tradition, and culture. She passed away in 2023.
5. George Churu
Artist George Churu emerged as a significant painter alongside contemporaries Luis Meque and Richard Witikani. Born in Harare in 1964 to Mozambican parents, Churu studied at the BAT Workshop Studios (National Gallery of Zimbabwe) from 1988 to 1990. He then worked as an illustrator for David Martin at Zimbabwe Publishing House from 1990 to 1994.
Heavily influenced by Cubism, Churu drew inspiration from African traditions. In a tribute article by Derek Huggins, Churu noted, "I must look within Africa and make work from Africa. I know my culture."
Churu participated in prestigious exhibitions, including the Zimbabwe Heritage Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Visual Arts in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1994. His works are held in private collections internationally. He passed away in 2002.
6. Ishmael Wilfred
Artist Ishmael Wilfred lived a brief yet impactful life, passing away at the age of 29 on March 9, 1998. Orphaned early and raised by his grandparents, he attended the BAT Workshop in the late 1980s, alongside contemporaries like Luis Meque, Richard Witikani, and George Churu. Diagnosed with cancer, Wilfred believed he was plagued by bad spirits, which profoundly influenced his bold, expressionist paintings. His work depicted his inner turmoil, imaginings, pain, doubts, and fears, serving as a deeply personal statement of turbulence and conflict.
In an obituary, Derek Huggins noted the evocative titles of Wilfred's paintings, such as "Fighting the Disease," "Bearing the Offering," and "The Darker Side of Life (Hospital)," reflecting his struggles and fears. Despite his short life, Wilfred held several exhibitions at Gallery Delta and a solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in April 1997. He is remembered for his ability to articulate and communicate the profound realities of existence through his art, transcending individual beliefs and experiences.
7. Rashid Jogee
Rashid Jogee has been described as a painter-magician. He once called himself an action painter, often performing as he painted. Music was a significant influence on his work, likening it to his art. Born in Bulawayo in 1953 to a Muslim family, Jogee began painting at nineteen and continued until his death in 2021. He represented Zimbabwe at the Venice Biennale in 2013, and his works are part of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s Permanent Collection and various international collections.
Jogee, an abstract expressionist, lived his life in search of identity. Living in Rhodesia, which was divided by race and conscripted into the 1970s civil war, deeply affected him, which he confessed tore his mind apart.
8. Munyaradzi Mazarire
Munyaradzi Mazarire began his artistic journey at Gallery Delta in 1998, then joined the National Gallery’s BAT Workshop in 1999, where he earned a Certificate in Art. He continued his education at Harare Polytechnic, graduating with a National Diploma in Fine Art in 2004, and later received a BTech in Fine Art from Chinhoyi University of Technology in 2012.
Until his death in 2019, Mazarire was a dedicated lecturer at the National Gallery School of Visual Art and Design in Harare. He was also affiliated with Dzimbanhete Arts Interactions, where he advanced printmaking techniques for younger generations.
Mazarire’s style incorporated wood and metal to create three-dimensional projections of scenes and landscapes, emphasizing the relationship between line and negative space. His works are housed in various collections, including the Gallery Delta Foundation for Humanities and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe Permanent Collection.
9. Nicholas Mukomberanwa
Nicholas Mukomberanwa was a highly influential and internationally respected artist in the Zimbabwean sculpture movement.
Born in Buhera in 1940, he discovered his artistic talent at Serima Mission School. Moving to Harare (then Salisbury), he began as a policeman before transitioning to a full-time artist in 1976. Mukomberanwa garnered worldwide acclaim, participating in several seminal exhibitions during the 1960s-1970s, including at the Musée Rodin in Paris, where his piece was featured on the poster, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.
He also held six solo exhibitions before his death in 2002.
10. Charles Kamangwana
Charles Kamangwana, a celebrated painter and lecturer at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, passed away in 2015. Known for his dedication and passion, Kamangwana began his artistic journey in childhood, excelling in wire crafts and painting. He earned numerous accolades, including the 2002 Merit Award from the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and exhibited his work internationally.
Kamangwana is remembered for his commitment to uplifting Zimbabwean art and his ability to capture the essence of everyday life in his paintings.
As Zimbabwe celebrates its national heroes, it's essential to recognize and celebrate the diverse voices and perspectives of its visual artists. From painters and sculptors to mixed media artists and installation creators, these individuals represent the rich tapestry of talent that defines Zimbabwean art today.
Who is your art hero and heroens? Let us know in the comments.
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