"Diplomacy & Development" Interview with the Zimbabwean Artist, DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME, STONE SCULPTOR about his artistic career and his qualification for the 9th Beijing International Art Biennial in China in 2022 (January - March)
The Zimbabwean Artist, DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME, STONE SCULPTOR, was qualified among a total of 5,352 artists from 124 countries, to participate with his work “The Beauty of the Games” in the “9th International Beijing Art Biennial”.
The 9th Beijing International Art Biennial will be held in China in 2022 (January - March) and is organized as part of the 2022 Winter Olympics, with the theme The Light of Life. Submissions of visual art (painting and sculpture) have been invited from artists around the world.
The Beijing Biennale attracts works of art from all over the world and selects masterpieces by influential artists. The works on display are mainly paintings and sculptures. A number of videos and installations are also acceptable. As part of the cultural activities of the 2022 Winter Olympics, the 9th Beijing Biennale will also select paintings, sculptures and installations according to the needs of the branch sites (some works donated from previous sessions of the Biennale from Beijing that correspond to the theme of the 9th session will also be included).
In this context, "Diplomacy & Development" approached DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME to discuss with him in an Interview, the evolution of his artistic career and of his participation in the 9th Beijing International Art Biennial will be held in China in 2022 (January - March) organized as part of the 2022 Winter Olympics, with the theme "The light of life".
Diplomacy & Development: How did you feel after learning that you will participate with your work to the 9th Beijing International Art Biennial” and what does this participation represent for you? And could you talk to us about your work which was selected for the 9th International Art Biennial” ?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: My nomination to this 9th International Biennial was such a huge Landmark on my Art endeavor ,my ambition has always been to see my Art make waves Worldwide so I felt so so honoured.My Sculpture titled " Unto The Third Wave" which was nominated is a middle aged Women curved on a Spring stone Chromite depicting the momement in times we are in now with this COVID 19 wherein Vaccination is being encouraged as a measure that would enable humanity to fight the Scourge within their bodies when they get infected and prevent its Spread.
Diplomacy & Development: What do you think of Chinese diplomatic action in Zimbabwe in favor of artists in general?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: I thing such a gesture that picks sight of the exquisite Sculptures amongst Zimbabweans namely my Work shows that China is so ready to work with us in various dimensions as Artists.Such opportunities places Zimbabwean Art on a Global higher scale.
Diplomacy & Development: How do you find the level of art in Zimbabwe?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: Zimbabwean Art is such a powerhouse through Stone Sculptures as this is comprehended by its rich variety in natural Stones we have.As an enlightened Artist and Lawyer I find putting sense in stones that captures how the World is moving presents some Globally appealing alternative Voice that resonates with many.This has made me the Artist of the moment Worldwide through my "Covid 19 Pandemic Collection"
Diplomacy & Development: How do you find the life of artists in Zimbabwe?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: For me rock bottom always produces more Champions than Privileged ,I have been doing all my work through my personal savings and we do not have any support.Our Ministry tends to focus more on Sports than Arts but I have come to terms with that curse and I am ready to conquer the World through my Art on my own.The World is now one Global village wherein Good Art Work can be noticed and it Trends and I am glad God made it happen for me.
Diplomacy & Development: What are your future projects in the field of art?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: I am working concurrently on 3 collections which I intend to Exhibit.1)The COVID 19 PANDEMIC COLLECTION 2)Thy NEXT WORLD COLLECTION 3)TAKING THE REINS COLLECTION
Diplomacy & Development: What would you like to see done to improve your work as a Zimbabwean artist by China and potential partners?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: China as a friend to Zimbabwe should cultivate knowledge to its counterpart on how our Government should align the sector through supporting Artist as it is a foreign Currency earner.It should strengthen marketing opportunities and separate the Ministry of Arts from that of Sports which is dark clouding on the Arts.
Diplomacy & Development: Tell us about your school and academic background?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: I hold an Bachelor of Law honours LLBS from the University of Zimbabwe and I am a Practicing Attorney with my own law Firm Ngwerume Attorneys at Law In Harare, also Art History and International Relations from Oslo University in Norway.
Diplomacy & Development: What are the positive and negative aspects of the artist profession in Zimbabwe?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: Positively Art has been a profession that has changed lives in Zimbabwe for some single handedly. Negatively the Economic down turns have hit hard in the sector due to dropping number of Tourists and that has found some quoting and going Job hunting.
Diplomacy & Development: Your last word for this interview?
DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME: My ambitions remains so resolute that more and Exquisite work is coming despite the Challenges, I shall keep on pushing my audiences into newer Territories producing Sculptures outside the PROVERBIAL BOX.I am so ready to go further than being World Acclaimed and become one of the World's Greatest in God's right time.
ARTIST STATEMENT ABOUT WORK – DAVID CHENGETAI NGWERUME, STONE SCULPTOR
INTENDED PURPOSE OF HIS ART
His desire to influence change in this World and make it a better place has had me using my creative irke through various mediums from Stone Sculpture, paintings, installations and various other mediums in portraying contemporary messages that invoke thoughts into Humanity towards shaping their moment in times and make this World move towards positive thinking. These messages through various collections such as THY NEXT WORLD COLLECTION, TAKING THE REIGNS COLLECTION, HULT CHILD MARRIAGES COLLECTION and the globally acclaimed THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC COLLECTION consists of proliferated Sculptures in Stone that uses the present calamities befalling Humanity in this 21st Century and invokes the power that can be exerted by us as the living through unity of purpose in shaping our moments in time towards a better future for all.
WORK AND INTENDED PURPOSE AS AN ARTIST
As an Artist for him it is a duty and calling that he persistently continue using various forms mainly in Stone Sculpture in invoking thought into Humanity, share awareness with the contemptuous World. On each and every issue that is affecting Humanity, his Collections such as globally acclaimed, “THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC COLLECTION” has various messages through Stone Sculpture pieces namely, THE ARMS which depicts the time and moment of Vaccination in which this World is found a measure so far anticipated to be one of the ways that it shall overcome Covid 19. In this collection, sculptures such as “THE NEW NORMAL” depicts the middle aged Woman wearing a Mask showing and encouraging the World that wearing the Mask in such times has now our newly found normal that prevents the spread of Covid 19 amongst us. On the Sculpture “HYPE YOUR HYGIENE”, a figurative Sculpture installation depicts a message towards encouraging the importance of washing our hands with running water as a measure against Covid 19 Pandemic.
In THY NEXT WORLD COLLECTION, Sculptures that amplify the commemorations set on Global events usually set tone on global issues. Gender equality amongst Men and Women, promotion of the Rights of the Children and fundamental Human Rights are generally my tone in this Collection.
DAILY MOTIVATION
His engagement with Humanity day to day in various aspects especially as a Practicing Lawyer in Zimbabwe under Messrs Ngwerume Attorneys at Law has allowed to remain on a positive path, never missing what Humanity encounters day to day. His desire to see this World changing into a better place has kept him alive to issues affecting Global unity, which ensures that he remains alive to and sympathetic towards the struggles and challenges faced by people all over the world. Hence he is inspired to influence a spectrum of possibilities in messages through stone sculptures.
ARTIST STORY AND QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED ABOUT MY WORK
To him, Art is a Reflection of Perception shared to the contemporary World in mediums that easily resonates with Humanity, it manifests my belief and relates to the World. His desire to see the World transform into a better place has encouraged him to soldier on in this journey, releasing Sculpture Piece after Sculpture Piece in Stone as a medium mainly in Abstract form with a pure intention that invokes deeper thoughts amongst Humanity. Many have asked him that “being a Lawyer and being an Artist how does this combine?” But his solid response is that in both Advocacy (Art and Law) Advocacy for Humanity is the unison, an Artist has a duty to advocate for a better World in their times through various mediums of choice in his instance Stone Sculpture is usually his medium. The Law has always inspired him resoluteness in discerning facts vs fiction, truth vs false, fake vs reality without fear and favour.
THE TARGETED AUDIENCE
The whole diverse existence of Humanity across this World without discrimination of Age, Gender, Colour and Tribe forms is his aspired audience. Messages from him are usually Global and that has set my work trend through “THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC COLLECTION” Worldwide.
Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor
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