KWEKWE-BASED digital visual artist Luke Mkandawire has paid tribute to legendary musicians Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo, Soul Jah Love and Garry Mapanzure through his art.
The art, themed Infinity, refers to the limitless impacts these legends left behind.
Mkandawire started off with traditional art at a young age and ventured into digital art in 2016.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Mkandawire said the late musicians left behind an indelible mark in the music industry and deserved to be cherished as national treasures.
“On Infinity, which means lacking bounds or limits, I used scribbles and there is no starting point or end to it. Each scribble serves a purpose into making the art come to life and the music these legends made is never ending hence Infinity. The music these legends left behind, how they touched a lot of hearts and lives with their music, they made an impact, so it is important to remember them,” he said.
Mkandawire is a fan of the late Moyo.
“I listened to their music, and I still listen to their music especially by Tongai Moyo because I am based in Kwekwe. Tongai Moyo was from Kwekwe and he was the only one from here who has been a national sensation. I am also a fan of the other musicians.” he said.
Mkandawire highlighted the flexibility of digital as compared to traditional art saying one cannot carry brushes and papers around every time, but they can carry their mobile phone or laptop.
“I can literally draw anything on paper but the problem with traditional art is I am limited to do it anywhere and anytime unlike digital in which I can just pull out my phone and start sketching. I think people appreciate digital art; people are catching up. This is my opinion based on what I see on social media and how much my art is received on platforms such as Instagram,” he said.
“Artificial intelligence has taken over the digital space: One may argue that digital art is a scam as you may instruct some software to do things for you, but as for me my art is authentic, having been doing it since 2016 and those that follow my art know that my drawings are original.”
Moyo, who was popularly known as Dhewa, rose to fame in the late 1990s with songs such as Samanyemba, Naye and Kapuka Kanonzi Rudo. Moyo succumbed to cancer in 2011.
Mtukudzi died in January 2019 at the age of 66 due to a heart ailment. He was declared a national hero. The Tozeza Baba hitmaker had 66 albums to his name. He recorded other tracks such as Madzongonyedze and Ndakuvara.
Soul Jah Love, real name Soul Muzavazi Musaka, was a Zimdancehall artiste who succumbed to diabetic complications in February 2021. He was declared a provincial hero for his contribution to music. Among several hit singles, Soul Jah Love had tracks such as Ndini Uya Uya, Gum-kum and Pamamonya Ipapo.
Garry Mapanzure was an Afro-pop musician who succumbed to injuries sustained in a horrific road traffic accident on October 13 in Masvingo. He composed songs such as Wapunza, Pindirai, Rigiyoni Takawanda and Sweet Angela.