Zimpapers Logo

Arts Correspondent
An exhibition titled “Crossing the Bridge” that combines works of two award winning artists, Israel Israel and Forbes Mushipe will be officially opened today at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
It is an insightful look at the trivial features of life through a body of work that infuses metal, wood and bone.

The duo presents a show of sculptural permutation that provides an array of enjoyment through different thematic explorations to the viewer.
The work studies the proximity of objects and their distance in the effect they bear to the observer’s senses.

The sartorial approach adopted in Israel’s work counter-plays with several devices such as identity, power and fate.

One may be able to pick hints of social commentary as to local and global current affairs, whereas Mushipe acts on fluid forms that seek out the metaphysical by way of merging the familiar; bone, wood and metal.

This may be symbolic of the mind, body and soul of a being and through that it is most important for one to navigate through the work there presented with the ability to merge the two sculptors’ conceptions with a holistic level of discernment.

Crossing the Bridge occupies a very important niche in the artistic quarters of Zimbabwe as of late there has been a lapse in exhibitions that are collaborative and to be specific, two-man shows.

The use of metal, wood and bone adds energy to the static forms as they are void of any semblance of motion or dynamism.

The exhibition serves as a means to provide the discerning viewer with a template to search for the meaning of life, purpose and truth.

“Rather than expressing micro-scaled behaviour of the realm of humankind, Israel focuses equally on mysterious and invisible habits of humanity” said Cliford Zulu, the Curator of the exhibition.

“This complements Mushipe’s process of mixing and layering material to reflect his on-going fascination with spiritual energy patterns and shapes” he added.

Zulu concluded that in this collaboration the artists are exploring subjects that are affecting Zimbabweans locally and beyond our borders.