Masimba Hwati

Masimba Hwati
Masimba Hwati during an interview for POVO Magazine in the Pottery Studio at Harare Polytechnic, 2012
Born Masimba Hwati
16 October 1982
Highfield, Zimbabwe
Residence Harare
Nationality Zimbabwean
Education Harare Polytechnic, University of Michigan
Occupation Multidisciplinary Artist
Employer SMAC Gallery
Known for Unconventional three-dimensional mixed media sculptures.
Spouse(s) Tutsie Hwati
Children 2

Masimba Hwati (born 1982, Harare) is a Zimbabwean artist, known for unconventional three-dimensional mixed media sculptures.[1]

Hwati studied at the Harare Polytechnic from 2001 to 2003 where he majored in Ceramics and Painting.[2]

Hwati currently teaches Visual Arts and 3D Art at Harare Polytechnic.[3]

Techniques and aims

Hwati explores the transformation and evolution of knowledge systems that are indigenous to his own background whilst experimenting with the symbolism and perceptions attached to cultural objects, expressed as an art movement known as "The Energy of Objects".[3]

Hwati attempts to work from basics, creating his own pigments, and creating objects from basic materials.[1] His works use contemporary and historical themes.[4] He also works extensively with found objects, transfoming existing artifacts into elements of works of art.[3]

Hwati says that he should be able to find at least 35 variations in any given object, but says that often he cannot realize more than ten.[5]

Critical reception

The University of Michigan School of Art wrote about Hwati's 2015 Exhibition there:

Zimbabwean multi-disciplinary artist Masimba Hwati examines postcolonial themes by re-appropriating archives and objects and presenting them in new contexts. With an emphasis on sculptural work, Hwati collects historical, culturally imbued items ranging from cars and shoes, to scrap metal and found objects, altering and repositioning them in a contemporary urban setting.[6]

Masimba Hwati was named amongst 12 "The Ones to Watch" by New African Magazine[7] ahead of the 1-54 Contemporary Art Fair in London at Somerset House.

Awards and honors

In 2006 he won the National Art Merit Award, the highest individual art honour in Zimbabwe. Hwati is one of three national representatives currently showing at the Zimbabwean Pavilion exhibition; Pixels Of Ubuntu/Unhu at the 56th Venice Biennale.[4][6]

Selected exhibitions

  • 2015 The Energy of Objects, KooVha Gallery, 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London[8]
  • 2015 Pixels of Ubuntu, Zimbabwe Pavilion, 56th Venice Biennale, Venice
  • 2014 Quantumlogik Solo Exhibition, Gallery Delta, Harare
  • 2013 Redefinitions, Gallery Delta
  • 2012 Between the Sheets, Gallery East, Australia
  • 2011 Food for thought, National Gallery, Zimbabwe
  • 2011 Colour Africa: zeitgenossische Kunst Aus Simbabwe kultruallmende, Munich
  • 2010 Facet: Zimbabwe Now Gallery Delta
  • 2009 Expression of Africa, Universite' D'Avignon, France
  • 2009 Comesa Club Art Exhibition, Comesa Center, Lusaka
  • 2008 HIFA (Harare International festival of the arts) Determination
  • 2007 Vibes, pledges and Oracles, National Gallery of Zimbabwe
  • 2006 SADC annual exhibition, Thapong Botswana
  • 2005 Harare Biennale, National Gallery of Zimbabwe
  • 2005 Visual Records, National Gallery of Zimbabwe
  • 2005 Conditions of sculpture, National Gallery of Zimbabwe
  • 2005 Intwasa Arts Festival, National Gallery, Bulawayo
  • 2005 COMESA exhibition, Lusaka Zambia

References

  1. 1 2 "Masimba Hwati". KooVha. KooVha Gallery.
  2. ↑ "Masimba Hwati". SMAC Gallery. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Hwati Explores Culture Through Found Objects". The Herald. July 23, 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 "News: Chazunguza, Masimba Hwati, and Gareth Nyandoro are the Representatives for the Zimbabwe Pavilion at la Biennale di Venezia 56th International Art-Exhibition". Venice Biennale. Biennial Foundation.
  5. ↑ "Masimba Hwati - The Artis". POVO. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Masimba Hwati: A Thousand Ikons". STAMPS. University of Michigan School of Art and Design. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  7. ↑ "New African Magazine - The ones-to-watch". October 2015 Issue. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ↑ "1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair". 1-54.com. Retrieved 2015-09-20.
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