Profiles of exhibiting artists 2007

James Mupakwa (24)

Talkmore, James, Godfrey and Washington

James Mupakwa was born on June 26th 1983. James attended Gwindingwi Secondary School in Masvingo, then he later studied art at Peter Birch School of Art. Currently, he is studying for a National Diploma in Art and Design at Harare Polytechnic.

He also did some commission work for the Roman Catholic Churches in Masvingo. During 2003 2004 James was a resident artist at Surprise Art center which is owned by Tapfuma Gutsa, himself a renowned artist.He has exhibited at Surprise Art gallery and Gallery Delta. James majors in painting and sculpture. He maintains that his art represents the people that he sees, and to a certain extent his works represent Africa at large. James believes that most people in society feel heavy, or they are burdened, hence his art symbolizes physical representation of those feelings.

Talkmore Guyo (27)

Born in a family of 19 children and his mother is the third wife. Talkmore says his father and big brothers are all motor mechanics but he was motivated by his uncle- an artist- to pursue art as a career. 

Talkmore was born on May 8th, 1980. He did his “O” levels at Lord Malvern High School from 1993 to 1996. His theme is mostly children’s experimental nature. He says that children, by nature have a tendency to explore their surroundings, hence they adjust to any situation easily.

Talkmore employs bright colours such as orange, yellow, green, brown and others. He believes that orange signifies care and comfort that children get from their mothers (parents), while yellow stands for the hope that children have. Also, brown signify children’s dreams.

Washington Dhlakama (21)

Washington says his theme is about adding value to life, through the creation of different artifacts from using a collection of unused pieces. He also employs fire smoke to create stencils that he eventually uses to come up with unique prints on clear A4 and A3 paper.

Washington also works with metal pieces to come up with sculptures. He has exhibited at the King’s Congress in 2007.

Godfrey Chipunza (21)

Godfrey specializes is painting and print-making. He was initially attached to B.A.T during the 2004-2005 period. He has exhibited at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Harare) in the B.A.T. graduating class of 2006, as well as the 2006 Valentine’s Day under the theme “One Partner”. He uses the brush stroke technique, while his emphasizes the moral decadence and preservation of culture in his work. His current theme is music, as he says that it has a certain impact on the society. His artworks depict a series of performing musicians.

“I was inspired by music. I felt it inside myself that it took a time until I reached a point where I felt I had to record music on board. This can be seen on the background of my paintings,” says Godfrey.

Tariro Shoko (21)

Tariro

Tariro is the second born child in a family of five. She did art in High School and excelled at “A” level. Tariro has always had a keen interest in art, as well as acquiring as much knowledge and skills as possible. She hopes to further her studies abroad, possibly attaining a degree in visual arts. 

“I have a passion for art,” says Tariro. She adds: “I wanted to learn more about art, painting to be specific because I always had a keen interest in color. My work is all about sharing experiences. My work is rather semi realistic and a true expression of all the things I feel inside about life and what surrounds me.”

Issued: November 14 2007