AWARD-WINNING visual artist Hermit Muyambo has told NewsDay Life & Style that his Regai Dzive Shiri (Mazai Haana Muto) exhibition showing at National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Mutare since October last year has opened new opportunities for him.
The exhibition won him a second prize with the piece Motherboard at the Mutare National Gallery’s annual exhibition, Signs of the Times.
As a self-taught visual artist, Muyambo’s artwork is a never-ending search for easier ways to interpret the ideas he has about himself and the world he lives in.
On his artefacts, he mostly works in pastel chalks, acrylic, oil paints, clay, plaster and bronze.
“My style, medium, concepts and ideas vary and change according to inspiration at the time. My work is a mix of what I have learned and experienced from the past, present and the preview of the future,” he said.
“The title of the triptych, Motherboard is my reflection on time lapse and events that change the course of life and the future. How has technology impacted human lives and the excitement and fears of the future.
“What the world may become, the motherboard being the backbone that ties the life components together in unison, the bringer of life, also allows communication between the central processing unit of life, the hard drive of life and any other interactions of life. How is humanity coping or the lack thereof? Artificial intelligence and its impact on beings, religion, culture and tradition of humanity the future is now.”
Muyambo, who is popularly known for portraiture artefacts and other pieces of creative works, notes that in recent years he has diversified his portfolio buttressing his career with technical education, arts and automotive technology.
“Versatility has seen me spreading my wings to diverse works like semi-abstract paintings, public art, murals and signage, sculptures, mentoring and teaching art and art therapy. My diverse artistic expressions invite viewers to engage with my imaginative world and explore my unique vision,” he said.
The visual artist said the stories behind his conceptual works varied with what his mind is dwelling upon at a particular time, further stating that in recent exhibitions, he was focused on mental health issues, with a major attention on teen mothers and teenage pregnant girls in our disadvantaged societies.
“The Symphony of Wings portraiture are the Zimbabwe birds which are a national emblem of the country and are featured on the national flag, coat of arms and Zimbabwe currency. The symbolism behind the birds is power, authority and spirituality.
“The birds are prominent artistic elements which contribute to the understanding of the cultural and artistic achievements of the people of Zimbabwe. They are iconic symbols of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe, representing the rich heritage of the Shona people of Zimbabwe and serving as national emblems of our beautiful country,” he said.
“The Ital (Ayitari) is about the vice currently gripping the ghettos (high-density suburbs), which are usually associated with drug abuse. While As the Man Thinketh talks about how men of today are not thinking with their brains and because of this, we continue to witness the abuse of young girls and women in our communities. In like manner, Ama Blessa talks about how young girls are lured by material things by older men.”
Muyambo also uses photography as a memory bank of the broad and diverse scope of his artistry.
“I use photography to generate references for interesting subjects I would want to work on and I also do photography as an art on its own. My artworks fall under four categories namely commercial work that encompasses portraits, wildlife, illustrations and any other commissioned artworks.
“Secondly, I do public art, that is sculptures for public spaces, murals and signage work followed by conceptual work that I explore through my thought processes to speak my mind, be it history, current or the future. Lastly, paying forward work which is therapeutic, mentoring and teaching,” he said.
Muyambo noted that collaborative work is one of his greatest strengths.
“The new Parliament building centrepiece was done by four artists, myself, Calvin Chimtuwah, Webster Mubairenyi and Tonely Ngwenya. It was a collaboration of artistes.
“I did the leopard painting initially as a commission for an overseas client, but the deal did not go through, so it found itself at the recently held Mitupo Exhibition in Chitungwiza as its first appearance,” he said.
Muyambo highlighted that his passion for outdoor life and adoration of nature have prompted him to venture into agrobusiness activities like rearing rabbits, fish, ducks, chickens and market gardening.
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