The ManicaPost
Anesu Kurebwaseka Entertainment Reporter —
EVERYONE is an artist. It all depends on the kind of art one specialises on.
Art has been downsized, with many people failing to appreciate its beauty and importance in terms of promoting and preserving the cultural values of Zimbabwe and as a result artists and craftsmen are failing to get sponsors to promote their work.
David Chimuka, a craftsman and founder of Chimuka Art and Craft Foundation Trust in Mutare, gave an insight of the pain inflicted on craftsmen.
“I started art and craft in 1979 when I moved to Mutare from Mazowe after being trained by Roy Gathry who was a Spanish interested in African culture through crafting. With my passion for crafting culture through stone, wood and any material that would transform into what I had in mind, I had hope that I would change and uplift the people of Manicaland and Zimbabwe at large,” said Chimuka.
“However, it has been the opposite as I have realised that most local people do not appreciate art. Foreign tourists outnumber the locals who visit my work station,” he said.
Chimuka expressed worry on the fact that Zimbabwean culture would be relegated to the dustbin of history if people continue to undermine art and craft.
“My deepest fear is that if people’s attitude towards art and craft does not change, our culture will be drastically affected,” he said.
He urged communities to appreciate and promote art even by recycling waste materials to produce meaningful and beautiful artefacts. “People should embrace art because it can empower them and help improve their lives,” said Chimuka.
Not only is art being unappreciated, but artists are failing to get sponsors to take their skills to dizzy heights.
Makiwa Jiri for Jairos Jiri African Crafts Shop, said: “We are being disadvantaged in the art sector mainly because we are failing to have sponsors to promote our business as well as money to pay artists who would have brought in their artefacts.”
