Man Thing (Self Portrait)
Collection:UAL Art Collection
Date: 2015
Artist: Kudzanai-Violet Hwami (Zimbabwean)
Dimensions:
100 x 100cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Object number: UAC 880
DescriptionKudzanai-Violet Hwami studied BA Fine Art: Painting at Wimbledon College of Arts. The artist says:
‘Man Thing (self-portrait) is part of an on-going series ‘varume vakadzi! vakadzi varume!’ which explores gender identity and gender politics in Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa.
Through memory, I revisit places and spaces I encountered growing up in post-colonial Zimbabwe and utilize those memories by recreating a parallel universe that centres on a futuristic narrative of Zimbabwe. I play with the idea of an African utopia within my work, where space, place and borders do not exist, while also referencing established cultures and traditions. The black body plays the central character in my paintings, acting as the vehicle to express themes of sexuality, gender, spirituality, memory and childhood. Having lived in South-Africa, Zimbabwe and England; displacement and identity is a recurring theme in my work as I try to understand my Zimbabwean identity within the African Diaspora. The work could be read as autobiographical.
Most of the imagery that appear in my paintings is particularly influenced by the growing popularity of subcultures, e.g. Afro-Punk and Grunge culture in Kenya and South Africa. Through my paintings I hope to communicate my ideas and vision of the future for Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa.
My aim is to re-frame and construct an alternative perspective of the Zimbabwean body.’
‘Man Thing (self-portrait) is part of an on-going series ‘varume vakadzi! vakadzi varume!’ which explores gender identity and gender politics in Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa.
Through memory, I revisit places and spaces I encountered growing up in post-colonial Zimbabwe and utilize those memories by recreating a parallel universe that centres on a futuristic narrative of Zimbabwe. I play with the idea of an African utopia within my work, where space, place and borders do not exist, while also referencing established cultures and traditions. The black body plays the central character in my paintings, acting as the vehicle to express themes of sexuality, gender, spirituality, memory and childhood. Having lived in South-Africa, Zimbabwe and England; displacement and identity is a recurring theme in my work as I try to understand my Zimbabwean identity within the African Diaspora. The work could be read as autobiographical.
Most of the imagery that appear in my paintings is particularly influenced by the growing popularity of subcultures, e.g. Afro-Punk and Grunge culture in Kenya and South Africa. Through my paintings I hope to communicate my ideas and vision of the future for Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa.
My aim is to re-frame and construct an alternative perspective of the Zimbabwean body.’