For decades, the outskirts of Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, once lush with vegetation, have been covered with the “recyclables” from world superpowers for as far as the eye can see. Western and Eastern colonizers, though largely gone in body, have been supplanted by a legacy of junk that engulfs the natural landscape.
Moffat Takadiwa sees the dark side of this inheritance, but he also views it as a source of hope. Second Life, Takadiwa’s second solo exhibition at Nicodim New York, represents a rebirth of his community on the international stage and a celebration of its innovation, inspiration, and power.
“This body of work represents the strong belief I have in humanity and a possible second chance to make a difference,” he explains.
Moffat Takadiwa’s solo exhibition SECOND LIFE will be the Nicodim Gallery in New York from 6 May until 5 July. SECOND LIFE marks the artist’s second solo exhibition in New York; fifth with the gallery. The Observer featured Takadiwa’s exhibition on it’s list of 10 Must See Gallery Shows in New York this May.
Takadiwa’s work transforms post-consumer waste – such as computer keyboards, bottle tops, toothbrushes and toothbrush tubes, – into lush, densely layered sculptures and tapestry-like wall works and sculptures. A prominent voice from the post-independence artist generation in Zimbabwe, he engages in themes such as consumerism, inequality, post-colonialism and the environment.
The artist is also a founder of Mbare Art Space in Harare where he plays a major role in mentoring the growing artist community, establishing the world first artistic center dedicated to repurpose reclaimed materials.
Some of his work has been purchased by the likes of Jay Z and Kevin Hart.
