Zimbabwean artists showcase their work at Southern Guild Los Angeles…
Southern Guild Los Angeles will open its doors to a vibrant celebration of Zimbabwean artistry with compelling exhibitions debuting on Thursday, 21 November.
These shows, “Mbare Opera” by Wycliffe Mundopa and “Methods of Flight” by Amanda Shingirai Mushate and Grace Nyahangare present distinct yet interwoven narratives about identity, community and resilience. The exhibitions will run until 1 February 2025.
Wycliffe Mundopa’s “Mbare Opera”
One of Zimbabwe’s most renowned contemporary artists, Wycliffe Mundopa offers an evocative exploration of Harare’s high-density suburb, Mbare, through his latest exhibition, “Mbare Opera”.
Known for his bold oil paintings, Mundopa chronicles the lives of Harare’s most vulnerable social groups, women and children, within a carnivalesque, myth-inspired framework.
His work showcases these figures adorned in exaggerated costumes, striped stockings, polka-dot dresses, and farcical buckled heels, capturing both the revelry and harsh realities of their world.
Mundopa’s pieces intertwine the Dionysian themes of chaos, pleasure and freedom with a poignant critique of societal struggles, spotlighting the resilience of Mbare’s community.
Amanda Mushate and Grace Nyahangare’s ‘Methods of Flight’
In “Methods of Flight”, Amanda Shingirai Mushate and Grace Nyahangare weave a tapestry of resilience and imagination.
This dual exhibition explores personal narratives, creating mixed-media paintings that transcend the boundaries of socio-political commentary.
A product of First Floor Gallery, Mushate’s works are characterised by ethereal layers of colour and light, reflecting Zimbabwe’s complex socio-economic landscape.
Her abstractions offer a vision of survival and beauty amidst turmoil, embodying hope through artistic expression.
Nyahangare’s approach complements Mushate’s, featuring hybrid, shape-shifting figures that explore the body as a repository of trauma and transformation. Her creations reveal a dynamic interplay between physicality and emotional transcendence, inviting viewers to reflect on the fluidity of identity.
These exhibitions will run concurrently with “Like a Fish in the Water” by South African artist Terence Maluleke.
Southern Guild Los Angeles is inviting art enthusiasts to experience these exhibitions.
The gallery continues to serve as a global platform for African artists, fostering conversations that challenge and inspire.
