Nhaka Gallery in Harare will this evening unveil Seasons: Diverse Women, Diverse Struggles; Women all the Same exhibition, in observance of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
Organisers said that the exhibition is a celebration of the strength, resilience and solidarity of women from all corners of the globe.
It provides a platform to reflect on the diverse challenges women face, while also showcasing the collective strength they embody.
The exhibition is curated by Hellen Matsvisi, a women’s rights specialist and gallerist. It is organised by Women’s Gallery, a non-profit organisation working in collaboration with four implementing partners, namely the British Council and Incubator Zw, a creative hub and incubator that works with marginalised communities through various platforms.
The others are Katswe Sistahood, a movement of dynamic young women that advocates for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for women in Zimbabwe as well as Voice of the Voiceless (VoVo), a feminist organisation from Bulawayo.
The month-long exhibition will be on display until April 8 and will feature a diverse array of visual art from both local and international artists, including Zimbabwean internationally-renowned visual artist Lin Barrie, Paula Mutamba, Primrose Chingandu, Roselyne Marikasi, Lydia Molai, Lilian Magodi, Yananiso Kunaka, James Jali, Anusa Salanje, Johnson Mugabe and Brave Gavaza.
“Women empowerment is not all about women in the workplace but empowering them in society, social circles as well as the home. It’s a whole collective of things that need addressing, and we are only starting the conversation,” Yananiso Kunaka told IndependentXtra during an interview.
An alumnus of the visual arts school at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ), the young visual artist points out to multiple sources of inspiration. “I get inspired daily,” Kunaka said.
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“It means a lot to me that my work has been chosen to be part of this project because it gives a sense of belonging and motivation. To know that my work is being recognised and appreciated is motivating and an artist’s dream.”
In addition to the visual art, there will be live performances, including a special performance by esteemed Zimbabwean jazz artist Vera.
The songbird has graced stages at renowned festivals such as the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), the Zimbabwe International Jazz Festival, and the Miombo Magic Festival in Zimbabwe, as well as international events that include the Pop-Kultur Festival in Germany and the Laudato Si Festival in Poland. Part of the activities include panel discussions that will explore topics surrounding gender, identity and empowerment.
“Exhibitions such as these just prove a point that women can work together and that there is solidarity in all of the different industries that women find themselves in,” Vera shared.
A gallery statement said: “From the unspoken pain of gender-based violence to the quiet strength of motherhood, from battles for bodily autonomy to the triumphs of breaking barriers — this exhibition tells our stories, unapologetically. Through visual art, multimedia installations, and live performances, Seasons highlights the ways in which women navigate oppression, discrimination and inequality while still standing tall.”
The gallery, formerly Delta Gallery, commemorates International Women’s Day each year with an exhibition that spotlights women’s voices and stories. Among its community outreach endeavours, it has worked with like-minded organisations to drive community programmes aimed at uplifting women.
These initiatives support and promote women-centred projects in disadvantaged communities, encouraging creative collaborations that empower women at the intersection of art and social change.
One such initiative that extended its activities to the community was a collaborative effort with Mobility Africa in running an online art auction of paintings from the Women, Power & Mobility exhibition in 2023.
In this exhibition, Nhaka Gallery handpicked artworks that were part of the women empowering exhibition themed “Women, Power & Mobility Putting Women In The Driver’s Seat”.
Part of the proceeds from the auction were shared with rural women facing mobility challenges in Hwedza, eastern Zimbabwe.
