Australian Embassy applauds arts awards show
By Dumisani Ndlovu
The Australian Embassy in Zimbabwe has given rural based Zenda Arts Centre an affectionate pat on the back for promoting novice artists.
The centre is situated in Makepesi, Lower Gweru.
Upcoming artists, Andile Keith Dube, Florah Maphosa, Samuel Sifani, David King Zenda
Delight Mahamba, Divine King Zenda mainly from Midlands and Matabeleland provinces embroiled in stiffer competitions, grappled with environmental issues, including the climate crisis. Some of their most flamboyant pieces on the matters which ask the question “Can we save the environment… and save ourselves in the meantime?
Speaking on behalf of the Australian Ambassador, Ms Bronte Moules, at the newly established Midlands Provincial Visual Arts Awards,Aussie Embassy official Miss Doreen Hanner showered praises on the initiative led by awards winning and nominee Keith Zenda.
“I wanna thank Keith for inviting me here. On behalf of the Australian Ambassador I appreciate the initiative where Kith is empowering young artists to raise Climate Change awareness through art.
“I am not sure if people understand the background and the involvement of the Australian Embassy with Keith. Just to take you back a bit, it was actually before I came to Zimbabwe, I am about six months now. Keith reached us at the embassy informing us that one of his Australian Friends, Robyn Bromham was coming to Zimbabwe in September or October last year. She came and provided her service, sketching techniques and knowledge she passed to students from Keith,” she said.
Speaking on the side-lines of the event, the veteran artist Keith Zenda said the recognitions are awarded to promising emerging artists across all disciplines at an early but pivotal stage of their career.
“The awards will be held each year and are open to artists between the ages below 18 and above 18 who live or attend school within the Midlands Province.
The call for climate change artwork culminated in an exhibition of super art work and judged by well-known artists, the awards comprise of generous cash and certificates, he said will with time expand to offer grants and scholarships to further the winners’ art careers.
Ministry of Youths, Sports, Arts and Recreation Deputy Director, Mr Chigova said, “I am really excited by the range and diversity of these young artists who have received these awards. These awards offer artists valuable time to cultivate their artistic voice, develop their practice and pursue their vision. I look forward to seeing the work of getting very far,” he said.
Veteran artist Keith Zenda who is an affiliate of Hodzeko Arts and Culture Association (HACA) said he intends to work tirelessly and diligently with HACA to encompass other arts disciples to make it a multi-discipline Arts and Culture Awards.
The aim of the Awards is to provide a platform for young artists to exhibit their works, to place them in a professional gallery environment and to encourage adventurous experimentation and creativity.
Zenda Arts Centre has been supporting young artists in this and various other ways for more than 3 years.
Hodzeko Arts internal Advisor, Charlton Nyoni equally hailed Zenda Arts Centre saying it was the association’s wish to see its affiliates grow and excel to greater heights.
“This is a very good initiative, and as an association we are geared to see this grow bigger and bigger. The awards should allow artists to buy time to develop their work and to be able to show their potential to advance and strengthen a distinctive and assured creative practice,” he said.
Speaking at the event Miss Environment Zimbabwe 2023 Finalist, Eldah Wadzanai Chitate said “I am glad to be here and see climate change on a different methods of communication. This event means more communication going out there on behalf of the environment. As an environment queen I speak for the environment, for its protection. As it has been well said by art, I believe the job has been well done for us. It is time to act now. Because the portraits are almost crying about the effects of climate change.
Zenda Arts Centre supports novice artists’ practice and their ambition as rising stars of the contemporary arts in Zimbabwe.
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