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Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Several artists from the First Floor Gallery left the country last week for the two major international art fairs to be held in Spain and South Africa. The gallery will exhibit works by Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude, Wycliffe Mundopa and Richard Butler Bowdon as well as spotlighting Terrence Musekiwa, Lauren Webber .

Promising emerging artists Troy Makaza, Takunda Billiat and Julio Rizhi are part of the crew while performing artist Sikhumbuzo Makhandula joins them on the international missions. First Floor Gallery marketing director Marcus Gora said some artists had failed to travel but sent their works to the two major exhibitions that will put Zimbabwe visual arts on the spotlight.

“Some of the artists will be represented by their works at these two major art fairs. We are happy that we are in the spotlight on international arts market,” said Gora.

“As a small independent space, we are proud that our efforts are contributing to the growing visibility of emerging Zimbabwean artists on the local and international stage. Zimbabwe is blessed with abundant artistic talent which needs lot of support to unlock and realise its potential,” said Gora.

He said the tours will be a great opportunity for the young artists to shine abroad.

“Our local visual arts sector is faced with many challenges which include a very weak local market. To bridge that gap, the artists that we work with, emerging and established are benefiting from exposure on the international art market” he added.

Such events have been crucial as they put artists on the lime light.

First Floor Gallery and other galleries in the country have been hailed for their efforts to have several artists taking part on international platforms.