| Chinyama off to Europe for solo exhibitions |  |  |  |
Paintings for his first show were shipped while those for his much-hyped Seven Days Theory Zimbabwe Story will be done once he arrives in Germany. The marathon exhibition will see Chinyama coming up with at least 20 pieces on canvas, his preferred medium, over seven days and seven nights non-stop. The exhibition gives one the impression that Zimbabweans are resilient, hard-working and innovative. Not only does Chinyama remind people of the hardships of yesteryear, but he also proffers solutions for a better future. The paintings on the Seven-Day Theory exhibition focus on the last decade during which Zimbabwe experienced its worst economic hardships. The pieces swing from being hopeful to hopeless; from optimism to pessimism; from being loud to silent; and from darkness to light. It is, however, not all gloom and doom as some of the canvases are large, colourful and pulsating with life and energy. Regardless of the situation on the ground, Chinyama is always upbeat. The land reform programme is vividly captured in Chamupupuri Mumunda (Whirlwind in the Chief’s Field) using acrylics and sand to add texture. Another masterpiece is titled Jo’burg Aftermath, which revisits the xenophobic attacks unleashed in South Africa two years ago. Chinyama, who is inspired by the great works of Zimbabwean artist Hillary Kashiri and Jackson Pollock, an painter, has managed to create his own distinct art style. His paintings are made of strong colour floating in space, intricate dark textures with gleams of white and hope, and densely detailed layers of paint on paint. Chinyama’s work strikes through the variety of ways he paints, and effects brought about by the use of varnish, glue, sponge and roller as well as wood.He had formal art training, studying at both the BAT School of Art and at Harare Polytechnic. Chinyama has had many successful exhibitions since 1997, both locally and internationally. In 2004, he was invited to participate in the first Harare Biennale and was one of the youngest artists.
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka |
ACCLAIMED Zimbabwean fine artist David Chinyama left Harare on Wednesday for Munich, Germany, where he is expected to hold a one-man exhibition at the Into Africa Gallery. The 32-year-old artist will be in Germany for the next three months and then cross to France for more solo exhibitions. An elated Chinyama said he felt honoured to tell the Zimbabwean story through his paintings.