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Art fair winner Wycliffe Mundopa’s work honours the women of Zimbabwe

KEDIBONE MODISE

ZIMBABWEAN artist Wycliffe Mundopa has been recognised as the 2021 winner of the FNB Art Joburg.

His works consistently speak to social and political upheavals of life in urban Zimbabwe.

As part of his prize, Mundopa will showcase his latest body of work at his first solo exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) on Sunday, October 31.

“I’m very honoured to win the prize this year, especially because I have exhibited in South Africa for a number of years now, this really solidifies my ties with the country and the many people who support my work here.

“It’s also important to me to show in museums and galleries in Africa because most of our work is exhibited abroad.

“As an artist who’s living and working on the continent, I think it’s important to have such platforms,” said Mundopa.

Mundopa’s latest exhibition, Zva nyadza, is dedicated to the memory of his mother.

More than 15 monumental new canvases will help celebrate the lives of Zimbabwe’s extraordinary, ordinary women.

Women and children have been the continual inspiration for Mundopa’s work.

“I paint women mainly, not in the literal sense, but as a metaphor reflecting what happens in my society,” he explained.

Commenting on Mundopa’s win Mandla Sibeko, director of FNB Art Joburg, said: “It’s exciting to see the evolution of the prize as it celebrates various genres and this year we’re celebrating a painter, and even more exciting is the fact that he’s from Zimbabwe.

“A lot of focus has been placed on the political unrest with very little being said about the creativity of the Zimbabweans, so for us it’s important that we keep highlighting the excellence that comes from that region.”

Meanwhile, the annual FNB Art Joburg Fair is set to take place from Thursday, October 28. The hybrid event is free to the public until Sunday, November 7.

For more information on the fair visit: https://www.artsy.net/

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2021-10-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://dailynews.pressreader.com/article/281754157531179

African News Agency