Richmore Tera Arts Correspondent
VISUAL artists who are selling their artifacts at the on-going Harare International Festival of the Arts are confident of reaping better profits this year than in previous years. They said this was largely due to the increased number of people who had expressed interest in their work.
“All is well so far. We are hoping for better sales come Sunday when the festival comes to an end.
“As for myself, I am hoping to make something around US$800. The good thing about this festival is that even our local people are buying our art because they are more interested in functional art like fruit bowls, lamp sheds which are in the form of a tortoise, wall hangers, key holders and decorative flowers,” said Farai Makirimani (32), who together with his wife Getrude Mhonderwa (28), have been selling their artifacts at Hifa for the past fours years.
The artists use beads and wires to make their artifacts and these can be acquired cheaply.
Farai also said he was happy that this year’s edition was well arranged.
“This year, it is better and well organised.
“They put a lot of work into the preparations because last year we had to operate in the rain but this time around they have pitched up tents and the lighting is good,” he said.
Semi-abstract painter Gresham Nyaude (24) of Mbare said this year’s festival has afforded him an opportunity to link with potential clients.
“There is a lot of potential in terms of contacts and I have received commissioning for deals in the near future and I am happy for that.
“Some of the people who visited my stand said they are interested in buying my art and this is a positive reflection of what Hifa has done for us,” he said.
He added: “People like our Zimbabwean art but I feel that the prices that the Hifa organisers charged us for a stand here are too high. We paid US$85.”