Staff Writer
Zimbabwean-born visual artist and collagist Mercy Moyo’s solo exhibition titled Chinotanga Mutsara opened today at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
On show are some of beautiful creations which have impacted on her upbringing.
She said: “Art and creativity have always been part of my life as an observer and as a practicing artist. As a child I would observe my grandmother weaving baskets that were the main source of livelihood for the family. I was fascinated by the techniques involved in pattern and design.
“I was fascinated by her skill of making each basket unique despite similar materials and colors. Through my observation I realized that the more she made the more creativity emerged from the process’.
“It is from this experience that I began to draw as a very young person. Through my drawings I describes the world around me and tell the story of life in contemporary Africa, specifically through women figures. A narrative that is very present in artistic practice where my images are primarily collages, incorporating objects, which complement and reinforce the images depicted.”
Mercy uses oil, acrylics, charcoal, pencil, and recently she added smoke from candles.
These diverse mediums assist to create vibrant images of contemporary women in Zimbabwe today expressing their lived realities, aspirations, and dreams. “Ultimately I use art as a fundamental element in depicting the beauty of African women whether they come from rural or urban contexts. I do not consider myself a feminist, but I want to portray the real African woman who is in her long skirts, fuller figure, with her head nicely covered comfortable in her self-identity,” Mercy said.
About Author
