Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Desk Editor
VICE President Colonel (Retired) Dr Kembo Mohadi has urged Zimbabwe’s creative industry to increase its participation in international art exhibitions, saying global platforms are vital for nurturing talent, promoting cultural diplomacy and projecting Brand Zimbabwe.
After arriving in Italy late Monday, the Vice President on Tuesday toured exhibitions at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.
He viewed works by leading contemporary African artists, including Malawi’s Billie Zangewa, Kenya’s Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute, Ghana’s Godfrey Donkor, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Samy Baloji and Senegal’s Isa Samb.
The exhibitions explore diverse artistic narratives and cultural expressions under this year’s theme, “In Minor Keys.”
Having attended the 2024 edition of the prestigious exhibition, Vice President Mohadi said Zimbabwean artists should take advantage of such international platforms to exchange ideas, refine their skills and raise the country’s cultural profile.
“The arts are an important expression of our identity, culture and heritage. Platforms such as the Venice Biennale expose our artists to the world, allowing them to learn, collaborate and showcase Zimbabwe’s creativity. I encourage more Zimbabwean artists to participate because this is also a powerful way of promoting Brand Zimbabwe and creating opportunities within the creative economy,” said Vice President Colonel (Retired) Dr Kembo Mohadi.
The Vice President also toured the Giardini, the historic centre of the Venice Biennale, where he viewed works by Zimbabwean artist Gina Maxin, whose exhibition is among those featured at one of the world’s premier contemporary art events.
He praised the artist for raising Zimbabwe’s profile on the international stage, saying her participation reflects the country’s growing recognition in the global arts community.
“Seeing a Zimbabwean artist exhibiting here is a source of national pride. It demonstrates that our artists have the talent to compete on the world stage. As Government, we remain committed to supporting the creative sector because it contributes to national development, cultural diplomacy and the preservation of our heritage,” he said.
Often described as the “Olympics of the Art World”, the Venice Biennale brings together artists, curators, collectors, academics and cultural institutions from around the world, providing a leading platform for artistic excellence, cultural exchange, creative innovation and international cultural diplomacy.
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