Gallery Delta founders Derek Huggins and Helen Leiros, pillars of Zimbabwean art, die within days
Derek Huggins and Helen Leiros, key contributors to Zimbabwe's modern art landscape, both passed away within days of each other, with Leiros's death occurring last week and Huggins's on Monday. In 1975, they established Gallery Delta in Harare, which provided a counterpoint to the Shona stone sculpture trend. The gallery showcased diverse artistic expressions and supported talents such as Hilary Kashiri and Luis Meque. Leiros, a muralist and the daughter of a Greek seaman who was shipwrecked, created murals for the Greek Orthodox Church in Maputo and earned several accolades, including the President's Award of Honour in 1990. Huggins, who was the founding director of the National Arts Council, published various art magazines and advocated for many artists. In 2008, Gallery Delta evolved into a foundation dedicated to artist support.
Key facts
- Derek Huggins and Helen Leiros died within days of each other in 2021.
- They founded Gallery Delta in Harare, Rhodesia in 1975.
- Gallery Delta was established as an alternative space during sanctions and looming civil war.
- The gallery occupies three rooms on Manica Road with a courtyard for events.
- Helen Leiros painted murals at the Greek Orthodox Church in Maputo.
- Leiros's work is in collections including the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and Museum of African Arts, Paris.
- Derek Huggins was the founding director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in 1975.
- Gallery Delta became a foundation in 2008, taking a 25% commission and offering artist loans.
Entities
Artists
- Derek Huggins
- Helen Leiros
- Luis Meque
- George Churu
- Richard Witikani
- Hilary Kashiri
- Fasoni Sibanda
- Ishmael Wilfred
- James Jali
- Lovemore Kambudzi
- Arthur Azvedo
- Cosmos Shiridzinomwa
- Luis Meques
- Masimba Hwati
- Virginia Chihota
Institutions
- Gallery Delta
- National Arts Council of Zimbabwe
- National Gallery of Zimbabwe
- Cabinet des Estamps and Centre de la Gravure
- Museum of African Arts
- Greek Orthodox Church
Locations
- Harare
- Zimbabwe
- Rhodesia
- Maputo
- Mozambique
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- Paris
- France