The 'Freedom Revisited' Art Competition Rewards Artists for Their Efforts

Zimbabwe Fri 16-09-2011

The 'Freedom Revisited' Art Competition Rewards Artists for Their Efforts
By Stephen Garan'anga | AfricanColours.com

All beings yearn for freedom in all its forms. An opportunity for artists to express and record in their own favourable media, their thoughts, imagination or fantasies, impressions and emotions, involving such age old and sought after desire of man to find freedom, either spiritually or in reality is invaluable.

Who-will-bail-out-thw-cat--by-Victor-Nyakauru

'Who Will Bail Out the Cat' by Victor Nyakauru

Indeed the significance of freedom was paraded to the populace in the theme 'Freedom Revisited' which was wide open for interpretation and has yielded comments and contents on the social, economic, political situation and other circumstances prevailing in the country.

Sponsored by the European Union and supported by The African Arts Trust, the art competition produced high end artworks which saw the awarding of prizes in all media categories proving a tuff nut to crack for the adjudicators of the tightly contested platform. There were no outright winners, 'but prizes had to be given', according to Derek Huggins in his opening remarks. He sat on the panel of the jury at his co-founded Gallery Delta Foundation for Art and the Humanities where everything unfolded right to the day of the momentous occasion.

Art competitions and exhibitions when sponsorship is forthcoming continue to be popular and well subscribed by artists. In this instance the contest attracted 157 submissions by 87 practitioners from as far afield as Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Harare and its surrounding areas. 82 artworks by 52 artists were selected for the show with paintings in the majority, followed by sculptures and three dimensional multi media objects, but with very few drawings and graphics.

September 13, 2011 had both the inside and the outside of the gallery over spilling as artists scrambled for air at twilight to hear their fate towards the recognition of their creativity that had certificates and hard cash as rewards for their efforts. Even the hoarse voice of His Excellency, Ambassador - Head of European Union (EU) Delegation to Zimbabwe, Aldo Dell'Ariccia had to be amplified as he gave his officiating speech to open the exhibition as well as handing over of the awards.

He said the EU sponsoring of the art event is testimony to the significance the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe attaches to cultural expression of the people of the country. It also reflected the EU's belief that the language of culture can contribute to articulating the feelings and experiences of the people in their quest for a peaceful and just society.

The first prize in the painting category was shared between Lance Maduwah Ramiro for his sweat on 'Suspense' and Keith Zenda for his effort on 'Released - Free at Last'. Calvin Chimutuwah was recognised with the second prize for his 'Redemption' whilst James Mupakwa got the third for 'Talking Drum' and the forth went to Misheck Masamvu for 'Missing Window'.

For the ever popular Multi Media Three Dimensional works, Sharon Parry scooped the first with 'Sheilah' as veteran Mattheus Nyaungwa ran away with the second for his 'Discussing and Agreeing on Freedom in the New Constitution' and Obert Magutshwa Nyoni went away with the third for 'The Agony of Silenced Voices'.

The graphics department had Munyaradzi Kapfumvuti being rewarded with the ultimate prize for his 'Freedom Drink' whilst Franklyn Dzingai got the final for 'On High Heels' as only two entries were rewarded due to few submissions in the category.

Once again the overwhelming power of creativity in the multi media three dimensional works dominated the space and could have swept all that was on offer had the awards been not categorical. Pieces like 'Gava rakadimbura Musungo' and 'Who will bail the cat' by National Arts Merit Award winner Victor Nyakauru who is destined for Vermont's artists in residence programme in the United States of America this September could have been unsurprisingly rewarded.

Freedom-Vindicated--by-Arthur-Azevedo

'Freedom Vindicated' by Arthur Azevedo

Albert Wachi's 'Secretary' and Gina Maxim's 'Constrain' too could have been on the podium. However the ultimate winner was art and artists' sanity as art competitions and exhibition awards work for the development of the visual arts in the country.

Other participants included Anthony Bumhira, Jairos Chivaura, Misheck Masamvu, Joe Chinomona, James Jali, Athur Azevedo, Mambakwedza Mutasa, Wallen Mapondera, Virginia Chihota, Trymore Chigata, Gareth Nyandoro, Daryl Nero, Petronella Chekerwa, Taurai Gondo to mention a few. The show will close its doors to the public in the middle of October 2011.

Posted By: Allan Kapten

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