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Lovemore Meya Arts Correspondent
Talented visual artist, Lovemore Kambudzi’s piece titled “Lunar Park” saw him shrugging off a stiff competition from more than 20 artistes vying for the top prize of $2 500 in this year’s end of year exhibition, “Mharidzo”. The exhibition which will spill into February next year, was officially opened on Tuesday at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe by Minister of Rural Development, the Promotion and Preservation of National Heritage and Culture Abednico Ncube.

It comprises different thought-provoking pieces whose main thrust was to narrate the title to the showcase.

With mixed media on canvas, the more exquisite artworks are eye-catching and expose the country vast visual art talent. The second prize of $1 500 went to Antony Bunhira with his piece titled “Kuna Baba Kune Dzimba Dzakawanda” while Damusile Ncube’s “Bondage” took third position with a reward of $1 000.

Kambudzi showed that he was a cut above the rest with his large piece measuring 159X413 centimetres, proving to worth the mention and was accorded with $1 000 worth of art.

The artwork which is on oil on canvas is a of mixed colours of people merry-making at a lunar park and as evidenced by his desire to study people, with an inspiration drawn on day-to-day events, Kambudzi pours his heart out.

It has sizeable images of people going in different directions and enjoying and also depicts what happens at the lunar park.

In his statement, Kambudzi sums it all that, “I enjoy studying people, their facial expressions, activities, joys and sorrows. Crowds and objects inspire me. I take constructive criticism seriously because I am always ready and eager to learn.”

Bumhira’s art shows a hierarchy symbolizing the life of a Christian, in which he seeks to show what looks like a life-after death scenario with believers occupying different houses in the skies above. “Bondage” by Ncube was a simple but complex piece of art with a figure-like human donning a helmet hanging on a chain that is attached to a three-legged stand.

“This shows what I feel and think about everything that happens in life. One way or the other we are in bondage as it is always the norm when people are at church, the message preached to them teaches about being enslaved the world over,” said Ncube.

Other pieces on display include titles like “Prison Diaries” by Miriro Mwandiyambira and “VasikanaVanegumi” by Janet Siringwani. However, something of interest is an artwork by Tendayi Shonhiwa whose piece named “In Body, In Spirit/ Panyama Nepamweya” in mixed media that explores the abuse of Broncleer by youths and its devastating effects.

It shows how people suffer with their livers engulfed by the syrup as well as failing to eat and at the end die of poor health.