Portia Zvavahera's Exhibition at Stevenson Cape Town Highlights Zimbabwean Painting Movement
The exhibition 'I Can Feel It in My Eyes' by Portia Zvavahera was held at Stevenson in Cape Town from 23 July to 29 August 2015, showcasing paintings of figures in embrace within Harare's Central Park. This event underscores a fresh generation of contemporary Zimbabwean artists, such as Misheck Masamvu, Richard Mudariki, and Wallen Mapondera, who break away from South African artistic trends. Unlike their predecessors who studied in South Africa, this new cohort remains untouched by those influences. At a panel during the Cape Town Art Fair, Mudariki spoke about painting as a form of visual communication. Zvavahera's art, inspired by modernists like Egon Schiele and Edvard Munch, integrates African waxprint patterns, exploring themes of love, religion, and politics. The October 2015 issue of ArtReview featured a review of the exhibition.
Key facts
- Portia Zvavahera's exhibition 'I Can Feel It in My Eyes' was held at Stevenson in Cape Town
- The exhibition dates were 23 July to 29 August 2015
- Paintings depict figures embracing in Harare's Central Park
- Zvavahera represents a new movement of contemporary Zimbabwean painters
- Other artists in this group include Misheck Masamvu, Richard Mudariki, and Wallen Mapondera
- Earlier Zimbabwean artists like Dan Halter, Kudzanai Chiurai, and Gerald Machona were influenced by South African art
- A discussion at the Cape Town Art Fair highlighted differences between South African and Zimbabwean painting approaches
- Zvavahera's work shows influences from Egon Schiele, Edvard Munch, Misheck Masamvu, and Yinka Shonibare
Entities
Artists
- Portia Zvavahera
- Dan Halter
- Kudzanai Chiurai
- Gerald Machona
- Misheck Masamvu
- Richard Mudariki
- Wallen Mapondera
- Zander Blom
- Egon Schiele
- Edvard Munch
- Yinka Shonibare
- Arthur C. Danto
Institutions
- Stevenson
- Cape Town Art Fair
- ArtReview
Locations
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Harare
- Zimbabwe