The Sunday News
Thobekisiwe Gumede Sunday Leisure Reporter
FROM ancient times to the present, women throughout the world have participated in the visual arts in diverse and stimulating ways. Whether as creators and innovators of numerous forms of artistic expression, important patrons and collectors or significant contributors to the discipline of art history, women have been and continue to be integral to the institution of art. Born in Harare and having spent a small portion of her childhood in Australia, 30-year-old Ruramai Musekiwa is one of the women who continue to tell stories to the world through art as she has carved a name for herself in the male dominated industry and hence raise Zimbabwe’s flag high.
Sunday Leisure Reporter, Thobekisiwe Gumede (TG) had the opportunity to speak to Ruramai (RR) from her base in South Africa and below are excerpts from the interview.
TG: Briefly tell us about yourself.
RR: I am a graphic designer by trade, with a background in fine art, photography, project management, and writing and am also involved in music production. I left formal employment in July 2011 to pursue business. This journey was parallel to my biggest passion which is social upliftment or rather youth development.
TG: How did you get into art?
RR: Fortunately, I took art as a subject in middle school so I understood and was exposed to art history and general concepts related to art. I then went on to study graphic designing in 2003. My family was very supportive and they understood that although they said it wasn’t a conventional field to explore. It did take some convincing though. So I have been working as a graphic designer throughout my career but I try not to stray far away from “raw” artwork. I incorporate a strong artistic flair into my work, whether it is layout or digital illustration.
TG: What inspired you?
RR: What really inspired me are the artists I learnt about in Art History, the unique messages each of them conveyed through their art. I was also inspired by how art is a medium that has the power to inspire and to tell imaginative stories about our society, our humanity, the past, present and future.
TG: How best can you describe your works?
RR: My art has become somewhat mixed-media as I combine hand-drawn work with digital design. I find it hard to define my work, as I’m still exploring and evolving as an artist but I would describe my work as emotive and expressive with a distinct Afro-centric signature.
TG: What would you say was your first foot in the door to the industry?
RR: Most of my work is showcased on online platforms but a notable exhibition is one that was the outcome of a Greatmore workshop, in which a group of women (me included) created a collaborative artwork celebrating women in 2012. The finished artwork was exhibited in Kirstenbosch, Cape Town.
TG: I saw your pictures with Lauryn Hill, how did you two meet? Did it have anything to do with your works?
RR: I had the privilege of meeting Ms Lauryn Hill in Cape Town during her time there at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. I had always wanted to meet her. I respect her music, the message she conveys through her gifting and so fate would have it that I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I had a very brief conversation with her and I trust that some day I will be able to work with her at some level.
TG: Since you are now based in South Africa, how are you finding it in terms of the market?
RR: Well I would say that the market here is very receptive to creativity and new ideas. There is definitely room for upcoming artists and SA is a melting pot of diversity with a strong creative presence carrying that narrative through artistic expression.
TG: Is your family supportive of what you are doing now?
RR: I have a very supportive family and I know that they are rooting for me, my mother especially.
TG: What are your future plans?
RR: I would like to exhibit my art more, especially back home in Zimbabwe and working with artists from home. I also plan on continuing my outreach work and travelling into different spaces to make a positive impact through what I do best.
TG: People have always said that it is difficult for females to penetrate the art industry. How did you do it or how are you finding it. Have you faced any challenges?
RR: I think South Africa is relatively accommodating as far as female artists are concerned. I do, however, feel that female artists could make a bigger impact, and this can be achieved through collaborative work.
TG: What is your message to people who aspire to be visual artists out there?
RR: I have always said that people should pursue their passion; they should not be afraid of expressing their unique gift. Let art never be a job, express the infinite ideas in their imagination and share the message that lies within them with their audience.
