Staff Writer
At least six artists will represent Zimbabwe at the upcoming 60th International Venice Biennale in Italy from 20 April 2024 to 24 November 2024.
The artists are Gillian Rosselli, Sekai Machache, Victor Nyakauru, Moffat Takadiwa, Kombo Chapfika and Troy Makaza.
This will be Zimbabwe’s seventh consecutive staging of the show, a successful streak for an African country at this world-renowned platform.
Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Minister Dr. Kirsty Coventry, on Thursday announced the participation of Zimbabwe at the 60th International Art Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia.
Dr Coventry unveiled the artists exhibiting at the 60th La Biennale di Venezia under the Pavilion of Zimbabwe in 2024.
“As Government, we have seen many careers flourish from this platform” Dr. Coventry said; “In line with NDS1, this platform has been critical in the Image Building and persuasion of international cooperation and it offers new engagement in the Cultural sphere.”
“Furthermore, it is in the Government interest to promote artists not only in Zimbabwe but at a Global stage like the Venice Biennale.”
The 2024 Pavilion of Zimbabwe Commissioner will be the Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe Raphael Chikukwa and the exhibition will be Curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa.
“We are grateful for the continued support we also get from the Italian Embassy in Zimbabwe,” Chikukwa said.
“As the founding curator of the Zimbabwe Pavilion, it was in the spirit of African country pavilion instead of the so-called African pavilion. Africa is not a country and am happy that we are able to continue our presence at the Venice Biennale.
“I must say the continued government support is humbling for the reengagement agenda is working.
“We are also playing our mandate that is to promote Zimbabwean art not only in Zimbabwe but outside Zimbabwe. I also want to thank the Italian Embassy for their continued support since 2011 up to date.
“The mobility of Zimbabwe artists has been made easy through their generosity. We invite Zimbabwean cooperates to join in to support our artists for their work will shine at this global platform.”
Chikukwa said he was grateful of the curator Fadzai Muchemwa since this was the biggest group set for Venice biennial next year.
“As long as we continue to receive an official invitation from the Venice biennale, we will avail Zimbabwean artists. Visual DJs play certain songs at a certain time and today it’s these six. Zimbabwe Pavilion remains at it’s venue since 2011, church Santa Maria Della pieta Venezia,” Chikukwa said.
The Pavilion of Zimbabwe since its inauguration has seen some of its alumni such as Portia Zvavahera, Virginia Chihota, Misheck Masamvu, Gareth Nyandoro, Masimba Hwati, Dana Whabira, Kresiah Mukwazhi, Wallen Mapondera and Ronald Muchatuta having their work on a number of high-profile exhibitions in the West and in Asia.
The overarching theme of the exhibition is yet to be announced, however, the Curator of the 60th Biennale, Brazilian Adriano Pedrosa, shows a continuation of Global South narratives being encouraged at the platform, after the 2023 Architectural Biennale’s curation by Lesley Lokko, from Ghana.
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