METAL sculpture artist Joram Havadi's creations are inspired by his fashion background.
Havadi, who started his journey as a stone sculptor in the 1980s, worked briefly in a clothing shop.
"I started as a stone “My father did not want me to be an artist, so I joined a local clothing company to work as an accountant, while there l started to design displays.sculptor having been inspired and nurtured by my late cousin Gladman Zinyeke in the 80s.
“I was moved to the designing department after we won the best-decorated stand at Hifa and the company owners noticed my talent.
“A colleague taught me welding, so after leaving the company, l started doing metal sculpture mainly focusing on creating fashionable figures,” Havadi said.
Apart from human figures, Havadi also makes outdoor chairs, tables and wild animals.
The artifacts are made from scrap metal, especially that of cars.
Havadi’s wish is to do exhibitions at home and abroad.
- Fashion background inspires artist’s creations
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“People know my artifacts, they don't know the person who does that, l would like them to know me so that I can be acknowledged for my work not those who are displaying them.
“If l can do a solo exhibition it will be a good platform for me," he said.
His unique art is not only found in Zimbabwe but across the world.
The Chitungwiza-based artist said: “I am currently in the process of making figures of people playing traditional instruments like mbira and hosho as a way of promoting them.”
He is also preparing for the inaugural Chitungwiza Arts Festival to be held in May, which seeks to celebrate fallen and living legends.
Havadi said the economic downturn facing the country had led to a slow uptake of artifacts, adding that collectors were taking advantage of that to pay them peanuts.
"The economic woes we are facing have affected the pricing of the artifacts, you will be forced to sell the art for a song because, at the end of the day, you need to survive, buy raw materials and fuel or electricity to do other work.”
