The Sunday News
Ntombiyolwandle Ndlovu, Sunday Leisure Reporter
Local visual artist Tafadzwa Gwetai is one of the few versatile artists from Bulawayo who have not only demonstrated their prowess in the cut throat creative industry, but has proved his mettle on the global market.
Gwetai is naturally endowed with a remarkable skill as a painter, sculptor and curator whose ingenious use of mediums such as oil paint, mixed medium and found objects to create his art works.
As a result he finds himself among the top artists in Zimbabwe and his work and the expansion of his market is testimony to that.
He explores the human condition and how mankind has redefined themselves and their basic existence through art, science and mathematics.
Gwetai has just come back from a six-month exhibition in German, for the La Biennale di Venezia 56th International Art Exhibition.
The exhibition ran under the official them All the worlds futures in which Zimbabwe Translated it to Pixels of Ubuntu or Unhu meaning Exploring the Social and Cultural Identities of the 21st Century.
Gwetai was selected to be the assistant curator at the Zimbabwe Pavilion during the exhibition with Raphael Chikukwa, who was the chief curator.
Speaking to Sunday Leisure, Gwetai said that he had a wonderful experience in Germany as he got a chance to interact with artistes from all the corners of the world.
“I had an amazing opportunity in Germany as I managed to dialogue with people from all around the world from different galleries and different curators and share views and ideas with them. Over 95 countries participated in the exhibition and only four African countries that included Mozambique, South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe participated with Zimbabwe participating for the third time. For me taking part in this exhibition is my greatest achievement,” said Gwetai.
Gwetai says his love for art dates back to as far as his high school days and since then, he has not looked back.
“When I was in Form 3 I studied art as a subject being inspired by the Gallery Delta magazines in Harare which featured a lot of local artists such as painter Louis Meque and sculptor Keston Beaton. From then I realised I had a talent and pursued my talent. Right now I am in love with arts and the work that I am doing,” he said.
But professionally, Gwetai perfected his skill for the creative industry in 2009 in a development that has seen him showcase his talent locally, regionally and internationally.
“Locally I have done solo and collaborative exhibitions and international I have done a solo exhibition in South Africa and collaborative in Gallery East in Australia and Germany. In my art work I fuse technology, science and mathematics as a form of design so that I stay at in the game and grow with the digital world. Right now I am able to advertise myself well and be invited and participate in other exhibitions, “he said
Gwetai said the industry can be lucrative provided one knows how to catch up with constant changing times on the global platform.
“Artists have to move with the times and grow their ideas so that they can be able to advertise and market themselves well. As artists we have to take concepts seriously for our survival. So far the industry has done well for me and I am satisfied with what I am earning. Right now I am working on growing my ideas to become bigger than what they are now,” he said.
Gwetai says one of his biggest ambitions is to make people understand his work.
“My biggest wish is to have my work understood. Every artist’s dream is to not work in vain. There is a constant desire to be heard and deciphered,” he said.
Gwetai holds an honors degree in Creative Art and Design from Chihnoyi University.
Gwetai has been a resident artist at the National Art Gallery, Bulawayo from September 2008.
He has curated over ten exhibitions under the guidance of Hellen Leiros, artist and founder of Gallery Delta.
