The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Life Correspondent
BEING selected to grace one of the most internationally acclaimed art exhibitions is a Godsent for local visual artist, Charles Bhebhe, presenting an opportunity to shine in the eyes of those who matter in art world.
Bhebhe was chosen alongside Dana Whabira, Admire Kamudzengerere and sculptor, Sylvester Mubayi, to represent the country at this year’s Venice Biennial which runs from 10 May to 26 November.
The annual exhibition is held in Venice, Italy.
The Bulawayo-based artist said being selected to showcase one’s works at such a big stage was both overwhelming and exciting.
He said on first hearing the news he could not believe it but as reality dawned on him that he had been offered a big opportunity, he set out to come up with great works.
Bhebhe becomes the first young generation artist from Matabeleland to feature at the Venice Biennial with other three other that have exhibited being Voti Thebe, Rashid Jogee and Berry Bickle.
“This is a big stage and there are always conversations around who has been called up. Once the announcement is made there are always different reactions and opinions about the composition of the artists and one always hopes their chance will come and I’m glad I was selected this year.
“I think one of the important things is that the opportunity should knock at your door when you are absolutely ready for it, not just in terms of your art having matured and ripe for such a big stage but holistically including being able to successfully engage other players in the art industry to take advantage of all available opportunities,” he said, adding the Biennale can be likened to the Olympics of the arts world.
Bhebhe said he had the task of having to come up with works that manage to capture the overall theme of the Biennale, “Viva Art Viva”, and Zimbabwe’s own theme, “Deconstructing Boundaries: Exploring the Ideas of Belonging”.
The 57th Biennale’s theme entails an expression of passion for art and for the state of the artist.
Bhebhe produced eight pieces that will go on show, all of which are on canvas with the biggest measuring 3x 1, 5 metres.
He said his works taps into immigration, identity, perceived reality or illusions that come up with the thinking that when one crosses the border things will get better.
“Knowing that I am taking this work to the international world challenged me to bring something new, fresh but still retaining my style of using figurative and strong colours yet not predictable.
“However, I believe my work clearly illustrates our condition, we can identify with it,” he said.
Bhebhe was born in Lupane 40 years ago but grew up in Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb, where he gravitated towards art at Entumbane High School before registering at the prestigious Mzilikazi Art School.
He said growing up close to a local sculptor; the late Themba Ncube gave him the impetus to pursue art as a vocation.
“We would see fancy cars that we were not used to driving up to his house and later he became one of the first to own a Mazda double cab so we would approach him for advice and he urged us to go and train at Mzilikazi where the late Tommy Ndebele moulded me and from there I was able to establish myself as an artist in 1997.
“In 2000, I moved to Germany and met a lot of artistes from various countries across the world, collaborating with them and in the process learning a lot. I returned in 2005 and have been able to secure my own studio and continue with my work,” he said.
Bhebhe said they are scheduled to arrive in Venice on 7 May and spend a week, during which they would attend the official opening of the main exhibition and also spend time at the country’s stand.
The artist’s paintings focus mainly on figurative images and their relation to the social scope.
