Zimbabwean government has commissioned acclaimed sculptor Dominic Benhura, Nomzamo Precious Ndebele and David Ngwerume for the 9th Beijing Biennale.
Benhura whose sculptures have evolved over time since his formative years at the age 12 turned on his style bringing out the latest technique of combing two different stones into one.
One the latest technique he put together a masterpiece titled Proud Mother through combining dolomite stone and springstone.
“This is the first time to introduce such a technique into my body of work and I knew that since we are exhibiting on a global platform the work has to be innovative and creative,” he explained.
The 9th Beijing Biennale is scheduled to run from 18 January 2022 – March 1, 2022.
According to National Arts Council Director Nicholas Moyo, Zimbabwe was among the few to actually have its art works shipped to China.
“Some artists will be exhibiting virtually but we also so blessed that Bnhura’s work and the other two will actually be shipped to Beijing tomorrow (Friday) in time for the biennale,” Moyo said.
“The judges were so impressed such that they said the piece has to grace the venue.”
The Beijing Biennale will be staged at National Art Museum of China, Beijing (main venue), from where non-sports stadiums of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will take place.
Beijing International Art Biennale (Beijing Biennale for short), initiated in 2003, is a project approved by the State Council, ratified by the Central Government and funded through state allocation.
As an international academic exhibition with its unique model, it is jointly hosted by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the Government of Beijing Municipality and the China Artists Association.
So far, eight sessions have been held.
According to Benhura, the sculpture which was his only submission to the judges, made it because of the technique used that showcases a combination of evolution and innovation.
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