National Gallery Of Zimbabwe Appoints New Curator

Zimbabwe Tue 29-06-2010

National Gallery Of Zimbabwe Appoints New Curator
By Maggie Otieno|AfricanColours.com

Images by Andrew Njoroge | AfricanColours.com

AfricanColours.com: Who is Raphael Chikukwa?

Raphael Chikukwa: He is a Zimbabwean Curator who has been working independently for the past ten years and he holds an MA Curating Contemporary Design from Kingston University London.

^{Raphael Chikukwa, Curator, National Gallery of Zimbabwe}

AC: You have been away from Zimbabwe for a while, tell us what you have been up to for the last five years.

RC: I have been all over the place but most in the UK studying after realizing the need to empower myself through education.

My studies where made possible by British Council Chevenning Scholarship for my MA at Kingston University. In 2008 I came back home and went on a Curatorial research to West Africa through my Curatorial Grant from the American Centre Foundation. On my return to Zimbabwe from West Africa, I was then awarded a Scholarship by Kingston University to start on my PhD. I am still doing my PhD from here.

AC: How does it feel like coming back to Zimbabwe at a time like this when art and culture have taken a back seat to politics?

RC: It’s a mixed feeling to be back home but I am not lost because I am home.

By coming back home, I am joining other dynamic people like Tapfuma Gutsa who is now the Deputy Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Remember my Zimbabweaness comes first and when one is out there in the West you remain a second - class citizen.

It’s great to be able to plough back what I have learnt in the West. With regards to art and culture taking a back seat, I would say one needs to be on the ground to realize that artists here are responding to what is around them. An artist is a mirror of the society and it’s exactly what the Zimbabwean artists are doing in an un - confrontational way.

AC: You have just been appointed as the new curator at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ). What constitutes the agenda of your new role?

RC: As the Curator I am in charge of the program for exhibitions and related events like conferences, talks, touring exhibitions locally and internationally.

AC: What are the challenges that NGZ is currently facing and how do you plan to sort them out?

RC: Just like any other Museums and Galleries in Africa, funding is a major challenge. The only solution is for our business community to realize the need to invest in the arts and I think this applies to all our African countries with the exception of South Africa.

AC: What qualifications and passion do you bringing to NGZ?

RC: I am bringing my curatorial experience. Having trained as a curator I feel I have an added advantage. I also bring my African and international network to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

AC: How do the artists in Zimbabwe benefit from the NGZ?

RC: The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is a critical space and it’s a platform for Zimbabwean artists.

AC: Considering the political instability in the country, would you say that the art industry has suffered as a result?

RC: Yes it has suffered and our Zimbabweaness became baggage that the Global Art World was not prepared to put up with.

AC: What is the way forward?

RC: The way forward is for Zimbabwe to re engage with the Global Art World and it’s happening slowly. I would say, “Watch the Space”.

AC: What is the role of curators in the contemporary art scene?

RC: The role of a curator is to conceptualize and realize exhibitions.

AC: Why are there so few curators in Africa?

RC: They are many curators in Africa but few are trained curators. Those that are practicing today are self-taught.

AC: What needs to be done?

RC: There is need for Universities in Africa to have Curatorial Studies included in their faculties.

AC: In your opinion what is the future of contemporary African art?

RC: The future is bright as long as we do not forget those that are working and practicing in Africa. This can be measured by a number of independent initiatives that have been born in the past fifteen years or so. Examples of these independent initiatives include, The Alexandra Project in Egypt, Art Bakery in Cameroon, Cape in South Africa, Johannesburg Biennale (South Africa), Dakar Biennale in Senegal, Bamako Photographic Encounter (Mali), Nairobi Art Trust in Kenya, Luanda Triennial in Angola, Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos to mention but a few.

These independent initiatives gave birth to a new breed of curators that include, myself, Gabi Ngcobo, Thembinkosi Goniwe, Khwezi Gule, Jimmy Ogonga, Christine Eyene, Bisi Silva, Ngone Fall, Bassam el Baroni, to mention but a few.

In the past we had the Diaspora curators/scholars who also have played an important role in informing and educating the international audience about contemporary African art. These include the likes of Okwui Enwezor, Olu Oguibe, Salah Hassan to mention but a few.

AC: Are African artist ready to compete globally?

RC: Yes African Artists are ready to compete globally and you can see by a number of international show they having in Major Museums and galleries globally. In the past few years we have seen a number of Contemporary African shows in major museums e.g. at the Centre Pompidou (France), Mori Museum (Japan) Victoria Albert Museum (UK) Tate Modern (UK) Hayward Gallery (UK) MoMA (USA) to mention but a few.

AC: Who is an African artist? is there such a term? Does African art Exist?

RC: This term African Artist is still open for discussion but I feel we do not need these tags. It is either you are an artist or not. The tagging is meant to control people and I don’t like it at all.

AC: Can you please give us ten names of the most promising contemporary artist in Africa to watch out for?

RC: Kudzanai Chiurai (Zimbabwe/South Africa), Peterson Kamwathi (Kenya), Miriam Kyambi (Kenya), Samba Fall (Senegal), Nicholas Hlobo, Nandipha Mntambo (South Africa), Tsvangirayi Mkwazhi (Zimbabwe), Mary Sibande (South Africa), Billie Zengewa (Malawi/UK), Andrew Esiebo (Nigeria).

skip to top

Your Comments

Jonathan Zilberg: This is excellent news for Zimbabwean art. Pamberi NGZ.

Kofi Dawson: The paper is great informaion and I like or hope to see or hear him on his visits to Accra.

Senewa K: Congratulations Raphael...you helped open doors for me that may be unknown to you. hope we can work together some time....

skip to top

African Artists Portfolios

Ehoodi Kichapi Jes'se is a Mixed Media Artist

Sithabile Mlotshwa is a Mixed Media Artist

Stephen Garan'anga is a Mixed Media Artist

Click To View All African Artist Portfolios

Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery

Shades of Time: An exhibition by Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery National Museum of Kenya

News By Regions

Featured Artist Portfolio

Title: Making Ways
Name: Tabitha Wa Thuku
Country: Kenya
Medium: Mixed media on heavy canvas
Size: 149 X 140 cms
Click here to view