Sculptors explore women’s lifestyle “Mukadzi wanhasi” by sculptor Rufaro Murenza
“Mukadzi wanhasi” by sculptor Rufaro Murenza

“Mukadzi wanhasi” by sculptor Rufaro Murenza

Tawanda Marwizi Review Correspondent
Renowned sculptor Rufaro Murenza believes women are important in enhancing cultural development in the society and there is need to explore their lifestyle. True to his word, the award winning sculptor’s gallery at Chitungwiza Art Centre is full of pieces of women doing various chores.

For him appreciation of their importance can only come if artistes and several other individuals tell their stories. Murenza believes every woman has an important role to play. Women constitute most of his works and he is proud to be an engineer of woman empowerment.

He has crafted a woman carrying a clay pot and named it “Mukadzi Wanhasi” meaning today’s woman. “Though some people believe clay pots are no longer useful these days we as artists need to keep on reminding people. It is good for our children and the coming generations,” said Murenza. The award winning sculptor said that was also an opportunity for different mothers to educate their children about our culture.

For him marriages enhance cultural exchange and it was necessary for them to teach children about different cultures. A mixture of stones, opal and metals is enough to express his views. In one of his works he takes people to the Bible where Lot’s wife was turned into salt. “It is good for us to make reference to the Bible and that incident of Lot teaches people especially women to listen,” he said.

He simply took the idea from Genesis 19 where the Bible explains how Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. “Thinking outside the box helps us as artists to come up with interesting artworks. Art is not only about the environment or everything but we have to dig deep into other issues,” he said.

To buttress his point Murenza has his own piece of two women dancing and celebrating, a ubiquitous scene in local sculpture. But his is a far cry from the nasty reproductions sold cheaply from roadsides and less salubrious galleries. “This is like those dancers who are awash in the arts industry. I am just telling them to do it in a professional manner so that we don’t tarnish our good image,” he said.

Unlike others who are always whining about the industry, Murenza believes the future is bright as the demand for Zimbabwean art is growing and there was need for the players to remain disciplined. Recently Murenza bagged the National Arts Merit Awards accolade for Outstanding Dimentional Work with his “Mwana Wedangwe” sculpture depicting a mother and her first daughter.

“I have done this piece to show how women are important. I am happy that it managed to get recognition by winning at the recent National Arts Merit Awards,” he said. He said when he started his career he had no base to work from and such hardships should not deter aspiring youngsters who believe that they have what it takes to be the next generation of Zimbabwean sculptors.

“I started my career in 1996 but during those days I had nowhere to work from but today I am here,” he said.

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