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Raphael Jamu (centre) presents portraits to former Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mr Xing Shungen (left), while other painters look on

Tawanda Matanhire Arts Reporter
Chinhoyi-based visual artist Raphael Jamu has won two international awards for his piece of painting titled “At the funeral” at the Adolf Hitler Museum and in Birmingham.

“After Attending a funeral, the proceedings at that event which were Western, prompted me to want to paint a true picture of what happens at Zimbabwean funerals so that our local customs are not swallowed up by borrowed tendencies,” Jamu said.

Jamu, who is also an arts teacher, started artwork in 1983 while he was in Grade One. He is inspired by his mother who loves art and also African history. He has had many exhibitions in the country to promote his art and recently participated in the Zimbabwe Youth Council Exhibition held on November 28.

His greatest achievement came when the Adolf Hitler Museum called him to submit his pieces for an arts competition. He came up tops competing with artists from different parts of the world.

“I was called to submit my pieces and one of my pieces ‘At the funeral’ came number one,” Jamu said.

“I did not expect such a result. This has motivated me to do more to promote local artists especially school children,” he added.

Jamu is the founder of Hillock Art Foundation which currently houses 68 artists in Chinhoyi drawn mainly from rural areas. He will be travelling to Germany for the awards ceremony on January 10 and will be accompanied by Kudakwashe Matsika, Mildred Chihwanda and Rumbidzai Rambanepasi, all artists from his stable and are helping him to organise local exhibitions.

“I am so happy with such a development within our house and travelling to Germany for the first time because of art makes me feel honoured though I would have loved to have many of us attend the awards ceremony,” Matsika said.

As Zimbabwean visual art continues to make strides in its growth, many people are making brisk business out of their creativity, in the process earning incomes for their families.