Africa - Half Storm - Half Rainbow

Zimbabwean artwork auctioned
as part of the ZATA project
for AIDS - Colorado 2006.

New Year is a time to
Invent a new soul
~~~~
January 2008 -
Zimbabwean Gallery's
Half century -
Time to pull out of
The storms
And seek
African colours
Even
Half a rainbow
Will do
~
Mixed joys
Stumble
From a paintbox
On stage
Before
Bemused eyes
~
Frames
Wait
Patiently
~
Inside the bread
A work of art
Cringing
In womb warmth
Struggling
To counter
Birth pangs
Pressures
And new
Harsh
Lights
~
January
Promises to be
A month of
Baking
And
Painting
~
Working to
The gentle drum beats
Of risks
And breaths
In spaces
Beyond
The walls
~
Of
In
Near
Beyond
~
Zimbabwe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In response to the BBC article on Zimbabwe's National Gallery's 50th Anniversary - 7.01.08
TSVA (new) an interactive, cutting edge show conceived to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe is now in full swing.
Consisting of six elements and realised by an entirely Zimbabwean team of artists and curators, the show disrupts the usual presentation of finished works to an audience at an opening as most of the work is being made live in the gallery throughout this month.
~
This month will see more pairing of conceptual and conventional artists like wire\bead craftsmen, batik artists, paper makers, and crotchet artists.
This in situ dialogue of practical and conceptual energy aims to explore the questions of who and what defines art in an African context and seeks to create hybrid works that define the line between art and craft.
"Bread", conceived by Pip Curling with the idea that "bread is an emotive issue, art should be an emotive issue. . . bread feeds the body, art nourishes the soul" saw her bake the first loaf of bread in the gallery last month.
Inside the bread was a work of art and this month she will be painting a canvas in the gallery related to this highly charged subject matter.
Four other painters will join her in this process of baking and painting before the end if this month.
~
Three conceptual artists, Chikonzero Chazunguza, Gareth Nyandoro and Virginia Chihota have been challenged to investigate the importance of the Gallery by exploring the spaces outside the building.
Three installations will be realised during January and beyond with accompanying performances, that touch deeply on contemporary issues while pushing the idea of "The Museum of the Third Kind" as " . . . a place of passion . . . not grand or majestic but committed to the drum of risk taking". (Renzo Piano)

*Posted "Poetry Showcase" - - 20.01.08 under AuraGem

Happiness to me is an elusive sanctuary. Sometimes it is available. Sometimes not. It is a tidal water world. The purpose of life is to choose to sail a boat, swim, or drown. - Gemma Wiseman