The Herald
By Zecheaus Nemadire
16 May 2013
AS preparations for the 55th International Exhibition of Art (La Biennsle di Venezia) to be held in Venice next month hot up, Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart has pledged to support visual artists. The minister acknowledged the importance of visual art in Zimbabwe saying it resonated with what was happening around the globe in terms of religion.
“I have discovered that most Zimbabweans don’t know the importance of fine art. It is most likely that when artists are going for international art exhibitions, they project the country in a positive light on the world map.
“The Government, through my ministry, is going to rally behind the artists and the National Gallery for their participation in this year’s exhibition to be held in Venice,†said Minister Coltart.
Zimbabwe has been invited for the second time to take part in the world-acclaimed fine art exhibition following their successful involvement in 2011.
This year, five artists from Zimbabwe got the nod to represent the country and Africa at large in the fine arts curatorial category dubbed “Dudziro — The Encyclopedic Palaceâ€.
Virginia Chihota, Portia Zvavahera, Michale Mathison, Rashid Jogee and Vhoti Thebe are the five participating artists.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe chief curator Raphael Chikukwa said Zimbabwe will get back to the coveted international scene to showcase its art talent.
“Zimbabwe has been honoured again to participate in the 2013 art exhibition grand finale in Venice and we have since made it a clear point that all artists taking part are going to represent the nation very well.
“We are going back to the world-acclaimed art exhibition with the intention of putting the country back on the world map and we have confidence in our artists,†said Chikukwa.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe executive director Mrs Doreen Sibanda thanked Minister Coltart for his contribution which she said will be a major anchor to their attendance.
“I want to thank the minister and the Government of Zimbabwe for the support that forms the major anchor to our attendance,†she said.
Chikukwa is set to leave the country for Venice this weekend to map the way for Zimbabwe artists taking part while the participating artists will follow mid next month.