Zimpapers Logo

Venessa Rangisse with one of his sculptures at Hifa

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
This year’s edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts has given painters and sculptors a platform to create international contacts in addition to exposing them to new markets. Although some of the painters and sculptors taking part in this year’s festival have been there in previous editions, they all concur that each year brings different opportunities.

For Chiweshe-based sculptor Venessa Rangisse, who has both stone and wooden artworks, this year’s event is different from other years.

“For the past years I have been exhibiting here we have created contacts but now some people are showing interest and they might buy my works,” said Rangisse.

Since Tuesday a lot of people have been coming to his stand admiring his pieces and checking prices of the Shona sculpture artworks that are made of springstone, opal and compound among other materials.

Titus Nyaude said the recognition sculpting is getting now has given those who brought their works at the event a chance to shine.

“I have realised that this year local people are coming to see our works and I am sure by Sunday we will have some buyers. In past editions we would have foreigners coming to buy our products but this year it’s different,” he said.

Painter Farai Chirumiko believes in creating networks and mingling with people.

“It has not created selling networks only but contacts. This year’s event has started on a high note as people are coming to see our products,” he said.

His counterpart, Donald Muwani, echoed similar statements saying the big event started on a high note and they were looking forward to the next days.

“By the time it ends on Sunday we will be somewhere because a lot of people have shown interest in our works,” he said.