National Gallery of Zimbabwe Set to Showcase 80 Photographic Masterpieces

Starting May 30, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe will host "Portraits of Zimbabwe," an exhibit featuring more than 80 photographic prints by the late photographer Chicago Dzviti.

The portraits of Zimbabwe have been brought about through the support of the U.S. Embassy.

The exhibit will be jointly curated by Jennifer Kyker, who holds dual positions as an associate professor of ethnomusicology at the Eastman School of Music and as an associate professor of music in the College Music Department at the University of Rochester, along with Fadzai Muchemwa, the curator of contemporary art at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Dzviti was born in Shamva in 1961, and from this rustic background, he cultivated an interest in photography. He further honed his skills at Harare Polytechnic starting in 1987.

This initiated a career spanning nearly ten years, notable for vividly portraying various aspects of Zimbabwean life. The narrative captured societal norms, customs, traditions, and social positions with strong impartiality, equally depicting experiences from urban, suburban, and rural settings.

Dzviti's work highlights the renowned individual within the public sphere, alongside the common person.

This collection centers around the era beginning in the early 1980s up until the mid-1990s, providing insight into life during the foundational years of the postcolonial period. It documents the daily experiences of earlier generations, potentially acting as a historical snapshot for younger Zimbabweans today.

Founded in 1957, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe located in Harare serves as a museum focused on showcasing and safeguarding Zimbabwe’s contemporary and modern art along with its visual legacy.

It currently boasts two additional regional galleries in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, with Harare serving as the headquarters.

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