By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Signs of the Times, a new exhibition which opened this week at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe has become a source of inspiration, a sanctuary for discovery, and a catalyst for meaningful connections.
The exhibition results from the competition titled Signs of the Times, a collaboration between the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and Morgan and Co. The aims of the competition are to nurture young talent and encourage creativity.
The show focused on the specific medium of painting among individuals below the age of 42 years old.
Officially opening the exhibition, Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Honourable Emily Jesaya said the remarkable art exhibition was a celebration of creativity and expression.
“Today, we gather to immerse ourselves in the art world and listen to young voices where colours, forms, and ideas intertwine to ignite our imaginations. As an entity, it is part of our mandate and strategic impetus to provide a platform for young people to fulfil the goals of NDS1.
“You will encounter diverse artworks within these walls, each capturing talented artists’ unique perspectives and visions. From stunning paintings that evoke emotions, invite tactile exploration, and challenge our perceptions, this exhibition offers a journey through artistic realms to explore our present reality,” she said.
She encouraged art enthusiast loves to engage with the artworks, to allow them to evoke emotions and interpretations flow freely.
“May this exhibition be a source of inspiration, a sanctuary for discovery, and a catalyst for meaningful connections. I invite you to embark on this artistic journey, where beauty, creativity, and imagination intertwine,” Jesaya said.
Signs of the Times is the fourth edition of this now relevant show that is becoming part of the calendar here at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, as it cements the importance of promoting and purveying art by the youth of the Republic.
The first edition of the competition, Let the Lion in You Roar was organized in 2018 before the second edition; Smiling Through Adversity took place in 2019.
The third installment of the show, entitled Masked, took place in 2021, on the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Signs of the Times edition focuses, in continuation of the latter, the questioning of the narrative of how we placate ourselves in a world that is rapidly changing in socialization, technology and economy.
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