Zimbabweans Urged to Invest in Local Art
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) executive director Raphael Chikukwa has urged Zimbabweans to invest in local art collections to boost the nation’s creative sector and ensure it thrives on both local and global stages.
Chikukwa highlighted that the growing demand for Zimbabwean art from international collectors points to the country’s untapped potential in the global art market.
These remarks come in the wake of the launch of Admire Kamudzengere’s second solo exhibition, Our Father’s Inheritance Doesn’t Allow Us To Sleep, currently on display at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare.
The exhibition has sparked renewed debate about the need for local collectors to value and purchase Zimbabwean art.
Invest in Local Art To Boost Creative Sector
In a recent interview with The Herald, Chikukwa emphasised that there is a lack of art education from grassroots levels.
He argued that this has contributed to a mindset where local art is more appreciated abroad than at home.
“Over the years, we have never asked ourselves why foreigners are buying our art more than us. The demand for our local art collections internationally is a signal of what Zimbabwe has to offer on the global market. However, we now need to have more of our local art buyers,” said Chikukwa.
He further noted that art could be a valuable financial asset, holding its value over time.
“Art does not lose its value; you can use art collections as collateral and repay loans.”
He pointed to examples from other countries where the domestic art market is thriving.
In Nigeria, for instance, local collectors have shown increasing interest in purchasing Nigerian art, while institutions in South Africa, such as Nedbank, have invested in art collections.
Chikukwa is hopeful that Zimbabwe could follow similar paths, with local financial institutions also embracing art as an investment opportunity.
Zimbabwe’s presence at the 60th Venice Biennale further underscores the growing influence of the country’s artists.
The Zimbabwe Pavilion has attracted significant attention, with more than 40,000 collectors already visiting.
Artists such as Kombo Chapfika, Moffat Takadiwa, Troy Makaza, Victor Nyakauru, and Sekai Machache are among those showcasing their work at the Biennale.
Chikukwa praised the strides Zimbabwean artists have made on the global stage, noting their contributions to international cooperation and cultural diplomacy.
Artists like Gareth Nyandoro, Masimba Hwati, and Virginia Chihota, among others, have played pivotal roles in elevating Zimbabwe’s image abroad through their unique artistic expressions.
The NGZ boss called on Zimbabweans to take pride in their cultural heritage and support the local art scene, not only as a means of preserving national identity but also as a way to enhance the country’s creative economy.
