Nhaka Gallery inaugurates landmark exhibition cele...

Nhaka Gallery inaugurates landmark exhibition celebrating Zimbabwean artistic resilience and heritage

A piece in springstone done by Farai Nyakanyanza and titled “Injustice in Rhodes' Empire,” is one of several others exhibiting at Nhaka Gallery beginning Saturday

Gilbert Munetsi - Zim Now Writer

On Saturday, May 31, Nhaka Gallery opens its inaugural exhibition, a profound artistic event that illuminates the dynamic evolution of contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture.

The exhibition, running for a week, showcases works that embody the enduring spirit and resilience of indigenous Zimbabweans from the era of the First Chimurenga through to the present day.

Central to the exhibition are the prize-winning sculptures from the Oxford Zimbabwe Arts Partnership (OZAP) competition, held in collaboration with the Chitungwiza Arts Centre (CAC) and supported by Oriel College, University of Oxford.

These sculptures poignantly reflect on the legacy of Cecil Rhodes’ colonial wars, capturing themes of historic suffering, survival, and hope through evocative figurative and semi-abstract forms.The works serve as a powerful testament to Zimbabwe’s cultural memory and ongoing journey toward healing and creative expression.

Hellen Matsvisi, Director of Nhaka Gallery, emphasized the exhibition’s dual mission:

“Our goal is to create a platform that not only celebrates Zimbabwean artistic talent but also fosters engagement between artists, collectors, and the broader community. This exhibition brings together history, healing, and creativity at a pivotal moment for the Zimbabwean art world.”

The OZAP Sculpture Competition, launched in February 2025 at the Chitungwiza Arts Centre, attracted over eighty entrants and was adjudicated by a distinguished panel of artists, scholars, and cultural leaders.

Notable judges included internationally acclaimed sculptor Norbert Shamuyarira, visual arts practitioner Lorraine Muwuya, Oxford alumnus and social entrepreneur Richard Jan Pantlin-Nxumalo, Venice Biennale 2024 featured artist Taylor Nkomo, and Emeritus Professor of African History at Oxford, William Beinart.

The final selection was overseen by eminent figures such as Lord Neil Mendoza, Provost of Oriel College; Elleke Boehmer, a leading postcolonial studies scholar; and Be Manzini, a celebrated Zimbabwean multidisciplinary artist based in the UK.

Manzini remarked on the transcendent power of art to bridge cultures and epochs, underscoring its role in fostering empathy and envisioning a united future.

Following its debut in Harare, the winning sculpture will journey to Oxford, where it will be prominently exhibited at Oriel College and subsequently at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. This placement is symbolically significant, situating Zimbabwean narratives within institutions historically linked to Cecil Rhodes, thereby inviting reflection and dialogue on contested colonial histories.

The Nhaka Gallery exhibition features a series of events designed to deepen engagement, including a grand opening ceremony, private guided tours for collectors and students, networking opportunities connecting artists with international patrons, and a comprehensive media campaign to amplify Zimbabwean art on the global stage.

Beyond its immediate artistic achievements, the exhibition aims to elevate Zimbabwean sculpture internationally, nurture emerging talent, and strengthen cultural ties between Zimbabwe and global academic institutions. It also highlights the vital role of the Chitungwiza Arts Centre, a longstanding cultural hub supporting over 250 artists with training and international exposure.

This collaboration between Nhaka Gallery, OZAP, Chitungwiza Arts Centre, and Oriel College exemplifies a meaningful convergence of art, history, and cultural diplomacy, offering a resonant platform for Zimbabwe’s artistic voices to be heard worldwide.