The Sunday News
Ntombiyolwandle Ndlovu Sunday Leisure Reporter
DRIVEN by an insatiable knack to succeed 34-year-old renowned female visual artist, Nompilo Nkomo has never been held back by the fact that she has a disability as she seeks to turn her fortunes around, as she aims at carving a niche internationally. Nkomo has been practicing art for the past nine-years and feels it’s about time she spread her wings beyond the Zimbabwean borders.
Nkomo suffers from a rare condition, which rendered almost futile her upper body and can barely speak.
Due to this condition she told Sunday Leisure that she aimed at communicating with the world through art.
Nkomo has left many art lovers surprised at her exhibitions, as many find it hard to believe that she can meticulously paint a quality portrait with her foot. Nkomo who has been a marvel to many, is working on making a breakthrough in the international scene as she felt stifled in Zimbabwe.
“My first exhibition was in 2007 with the late Mandla Ndlovu and later in 2009 I had a solo exhibition at the National Art Gallery here in Bulawayo. Last year I exhibited my work in Harare,” Nkomo said.
She said that she felt that the exhibitions she had held locally would “beef up” her resume to penetrate the international visual arts industry.
Nkomo who originally hails from Esigodini said despite failing to penetrate the international scene over the duration of her career, she remained hopeful.
“All I wish is to take my work out of the country. I have so far applied to showcase my stuff in Uganda, Botswana and South Africa but unfortunately I have not been successful.
With the grace of God I hope one day my dream will come true,” said Nkomo.
She mentioned that she had managed to make ends meet through her art but felt the general disregard by locals to appreciate local art work was holding her back.
“Although I manage to make ends meet through my art I have met several challenges in selling my work locally. People are not interested, therefore there are very few who can support our cause. I usually get most of my customers from outside and most of them are white people,” she said.
Nkomo, whose artworks capture diverse realities of the Zimbabwean story including religion and politics, said she has made a lot of friends from European countries because of her distinguished work.
“I use paint, cloth, salt buttons, glue and paper to make my art. Most of my material is donated mostly by friends most of whom are outside the country. The Culture Fund has for the past seven years supported my residency at this gallery,” she said.
Like some of her colleagues, Nkomo wishes to tour foreign countries, so that she gains exposure in terms of art.
“It is not good to look down at other people especially those living with disabilities. Everyone can make something out of themselves regardless of their disability. My words to the disabled are, as long as you have certain parts of your body that are not futile, you can do something rather than sitting and waiting for assistance,” she said.
Nkomo said the National Council of the Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) catered for her education, which she attained at Danhiko School in Harare. She added that she later enrolled at Mzilikazi Arts and Craft Centre in Bulawayo, where she perfected art.
On completion of the course, she was sponsored by NCDPZ to embark on a Visual Arts Project and since then she has never looked back.
