The exhibition, which is being held at the landmark Arts on Main in downtown Johannesburg, has drawn a good crowd and is expected to continue doing so until it ends on December 3.
“The artist’s work is true a representation of the prevailing economic and political conditions in the African continent, particularly in his country of birth” said an arts critic in Newtown.
State of the Nation features photographic prints, drawings, large oil paintings, video, sound installation and performances with a focus on youth culture. It recommends fresh ways of looking at the socio-politics of Africa today.
Chiurai explained the title of the exhibition was intended to explore aspects of a constructed African state that had been ravaged by conflict.
“On a continent that has experienced more violent conflict than any other, this exhibition follows an individual’s narration of events that lead up to the inaugural speech by the first supposedly democratically elected prime minister. This leader, styled along many of our existing African leaders, retells the history of a people from another time, but still Africa’s time,” he said in a statement.
Born in Zimbabwe 30 years ago, Chiurai now lives and works in Johannesburg.
Post published in: Entertainment