Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture deputy minister Emily Jesaya has challenged corporates to support arts saying people should prop up their own.
Jesaya, who was the guest of honour, made the remarks yesterday evening at the Morgan and Co Artspiration fourth edition Signs of the Times 2023 Art Competition and Awards reception held at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
Jesaya, who is also the Founder of the Global Youth Network supporting up and coming artists across various genres of the arts, acknowledged Morgan & Co for partnering with the National gallery of Zimbabwe in identifying talent especially among the youth.
“I am happy that we have corporations like Morgan & Co that are recognising young people and supporting their talents so that they are able to achieve the Zimbabwe that we want. The President has also given us the youth a slot in the Cabinet and Parliament where discussions about the future are made so that we represent the interests of the young people,” said Jesaya.
“I also want to take this opportunity to challenge some of the organisations and companies to come and partner with the National gallery of Zimbabwe to support what the youths are doing,” she said.
“This exhibition is crucial in that it spotlights talent and like the supporters of this show Morgan & Co creates a platform for potential collectors to access the works of emerging artists who may become a great investment in the future,” Jesaya added.
Jesaya also encouraged buyers and collectors to purchase works from the show as this would not only inspire the artists to continue creating, but grow their careers exponentially and so does the artwork in value.
Awards were presented to Tafadzwa Tom who scooped the first prize for his piece titled Endurance, Hermit Muyambo scooped the second prize winner with his art titled Motherboard and Takudzwa Guzha came third with Chava Chigondora.
The first commendable work was a piece titled Return to the Tower of Babel by Tadiwa Mashiri and second commendable work was Unlucky Love and The Kisser by Audrey Batau.
Signs of the Times questioned the narrative of how we placate ourselves in a world that is rapidly changing in socialisation, technology and economy.
The first edition of the competition was held in 2018 titled Let the Lion in You Roar followed by Smiling Through Adversity in 2019 and the third edition of the art competition entitled Masked took place in 2021 at the tail end of the Covid-19 pandemic.