Gweru artist to showcase in South Korea
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Sydney Mubaiwa
MIDLANDS BUREAU
GWERU-Multi-award-winning visual artist Keith Zenda is in Seoul, South Korea where he is showcasing his talent in an exhibition programme which started last week.
The youthful Lower Gweru-based veteran artist will showcase his artworks at Sang Myung University Future Centennial Hall gallery.
Zenda perfected his self-taught art at the National Gallery in Bulawayo and is confident in his work.
“The artwork from Shona sculptures, paintings and charcoal drawings is being exhibited in one of the biggest art galleries here in South Korea .
“I am excited to be the only painter invited to represent Zimbabwe and exhibit on this international platform. It is an opportunity for me to represent the country in such a prestigious event,” he said.
He said it had always been his wish to exhibit on such high-profile platforms where experts network with artists from different countries.
“This time I got an opportunity to exhibit in South Korea. It was my first time to go beyond Africa. This is an opportunity for artists to network with experts from other countries,” he said.
He appealed to the Government to adequately fund the arts sector for the benefit of upcoming artists.
He said he has opened an art gallery in Mkoba 17 to promote arts and culture in his community.
He started his art at his rural home in the Chirumhanzu district at ten. He became a full-time artist in 2003 after finishing his ordinary levels at Mambo High School in Gweru.
Zenda has scooped several national accolades including the National Arts Merit Award (NAMA), National Gallery of Zimbabwe Award, Facet Zimbabwe and Company Artspiration Masked Art Competition 2D Category Award among others.
The creative industry in Zimbabwe contributes close to US$100 million annually to the country’s GDP with thousands of people working in the cultural sector according to the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe study.
