The Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation recently announced the participation of Zimbabwe at the 60th International Art Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia. This will be Zimbabwe’s 7th consecutive staging at the show. A noteworthy streak for an African country at the world renowned platform. Unveiled by the minister was also the short list of artists who’ll be exhibiting at the 60th La Biennale di Venezia under the Pavilion of Zimbabwe in 2024.
The artists set to showcase their works are Gillian Rosselli, Sekai Machache, Victor Nyakaru, Moffat Takadiwa, Kombo Chapfika and Troy Makaza. These 6 artists will exhibit in Venice, Italy from the 20th of April 2024 until the 24th of November 2024.
As Government, we have seen many careers flourish from this platform. In with NDS1, this platform has been critical in the image building and persuasion of international cooperation and it offers new engagement in the cultural sphere. Furthermore, it is in government interest to promote artists not only in Zimbabwe but at a global stage like the Venice Biennale. – Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry
The 2024 Pavilion of Zimbabwe Commissioner will be the Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Raphael Chikukwa. The exhibition will be curated by Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa. Over the years the Pavilion of Zimbabwe has seen some of it’s alumni such as Portia Zvavahera, Virginia Chihota, Misheck Masamvu, Gareth Nyandoro, Masimba Hwati, Dana Whabira, Kresiah Mukwazhi, Wallen Mapondera, and Ronald Muchatuta having their work on a number of high profile exhibitions in the West and in Asia.
The overarching theme of the 2024 exhibition is yet to be announced. However the selection of Brazilian Adriano Pedrosa as the curator of the 60th Biennale, shows a continuation of Global South narratives being encouraged at the platform. The 2023 Architectural Biennale’s curation was also done by Lesley Lokko from Ghana.
Traditionally running from around May to November each year, and alternating between art and architecture, the Venice Biennale began in 1895. A celebration of art and architecture, the Biennale explores themes of politics and contemporary cultural & social issues through performance, sculpture and installations.
According to The Economist artists, curators, multimillionaire collectors and directors of museums across the globe gather to see new work by a select choice of curated artists. Artists are honoured to be asked to show off their work, and visitors rich and poor don’t mind the queues, the crowds or the shortage of toilets.
The Venice Biennale was founded in 1895 to mark the silver anniversary of the accession of the bewhiskered King Umberto I of Italy and his consort, Margherita of Savoy. National pavilions made their debut appearance in 1907. The first country to display was Belgium, giving rise to a veritable United Nations of art shows in purpose-built exhibition spaces. The Biennale now attracts almost a 100 pavilions from different countries across the globe.
