Moffat Takadiwa: Using Art to Confront The Colonial Hangover in Africa

Art is a powerful tool that can be used to change the world. It's a way to express yourself and make others feel good. Art can be used in many ways, but the most important thing is how you use it. Meet our guest, Rufai Zakari, an artist and community leader based in Accra and Bawku in Ghana who explores consumerism, environmental pollution, labor, trade and the perils of industrialization, and contemporary Ghanaian society. Rufai is also the founder of Rujab eco Art Foundation, which focuses on improving the nature of our environment by providing good environmental education and fostering creativity with the environment. Rujab foundation also supports single mothers and young people by providing them with jobs, shelter, and support for their education.But Rufai’s work with sustainability didn’t start today. Right from childhood, he had a passion for art, and once found himself in trouble for using his school books to draw. Growing up in a family of 15 children and with nothing too much to talk about in his rural hometown apart from the constant conflicts in the region, Rufai and his mother moved to a new community, Nima in Accra in search of the future. But Nima was no different. Notorious and well known in Crime, Rufai thought going to Nima was like “jumping from fire to fire.” But these harsh conditions brewed a new person. And today, the places he has lived in have shaped and inspired his work of art, which now sells internationally!What’s even more? Rufai now looks forward to continuing with his works in sustainability by building a sustainable center in Ghana, from waste! This center will be used for technical and skill development for the locals and anyone that could use it for their benefit.Tune in to listen more about the inspiration behind his work and activism, the roles of artists in our society, why his works focus on women more. You can view Rufai's work at his upcoming exhibition: "There is still tomorrow " at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery Berlin from 3 September to 8 October 2022.Notable QuotesI always interact with people in the community, I see my problem, and their problems, and then I always try to find a solution to those problems. The big thing that happened to my life that changed my career is the environment that I lived in.Nothing can be done without art. So it's really important in our lives.  And not just me. There are a lot of artists in Ghana that are really making an impact. Every successful home has to do with a woman. And throughout my life, I've been supported by women.I got life through art. I'm an artist because it makes me happy. My family is happy, my community is happy, and of course, many people around the world.**This episode was recorded in August 2021**To find out about Rujab Eco Art FoundationSpace  follow them on instagram: rujabecoart.To find out about Rufai's  current and upcoming exhibitions, follow him  on instagram: @rufaiartIf you enjoyed this episode, remember to leave us a rating or review. It really helps.For more information on The Frame - Conversations with Ayanda Fine Art just visit: www.ayandafineart.comIG: @the.framepodcastIG: @ayandafineart

Art is a very powerful medium to create awareness and promote environmental conservation. Artists have used their creativity to make people aware of the environment and its importance. With their help, people can understand the cause of global warming, deforestation, wildlife extinction, and many other issues related to nature. Ghizlane Sahli, our guest for today, explains what can be done with art to raise more awareness about environmental conservation. Ghizlane is an award-winning and world-renown Morrocan artist. In 2012, Sahli co-founded the Zbel Manifesto collective that dedicates its artistic practice primarily to working with waste and repurposed materials. Exhibitions of the Zbel Manifesto featured at the Marrakech Biennale in 2014 and the inaugural opening of the Muhammed IV Museum in Rabat.Influenced by her understanding of space and architectural design and her environmental sustainability concerns, Sahli creates three-dimensional embroidery sculptures and installations made from the tops of used bottles covered with silk thread. Ghizlane explains how she got into art, The Zbel manifesto, the role of artists in society, and the role of the community in her creative work. She also shares some insights on how art can be used to create more understanding of our environment. Tune in to learn more!Notable quotes“Even with the worst things like wastes, we can create bigger things in our lives.”“When something is meant to happen, the universe aligns.”“The first step for a woman to be free is to be able to use her body as she wants.”“Being an artist is the most beautiful thing in the world.Artworks / Exhibitions mentioned in the episodeAlveoli 28x4The ShrineHistoire De Tripes Volume 005ResourcesBooks: The AlchemistTo find out about Zbel Manifesto visit their  website or follow them on facebook: Zbel ManifestoTo find out about Ghizlane 's  current and upcoming exhibitions visit her website, or follow her  on instagram: @ghizlane_sahliIf you enjoyed this episode, remember to leave us a rating or review. It really helps.For more information on The Frame - Conversations with Ayanda Fine Art just visit: www.ayandafineart.comIG: @the.framepodcastIG: @ayandafineartPodcast music by lizzmiri

Arts is not a priority in most African countries, and most art institutions are funded by foreign donors, which means they don't have the freedom to represent local artists. Consequently, taking your pieces of work to the world could be difficult without the needed support. But despite the obvious challenge, some great minds and talents are sailing through the storm with amazing pieces! Moffat Takadiwa, our guest for today, explains how he grew his audience from Zimbabwe to the world. Moffat is a leading figure within the post-independence generation of contemporary artists in Zimbabwe and has exhibited extensively across major institutions internationally. He uses art to confront the colonial hangover using the everyday consumer residue.Moffat takes the discarded fragments from daily life, like individual keys from computer keyboards and toothbrushes collected at the city dump outside Harare, and creates elaborate works of art. In his work, he uses the metaphysical act of creation to transform these objects, which contain the residue of Africa’s colonial history, and metamorphose them into objects of power. He explains his first experience with art, the process behind his art, the spiritual connection with his pieces of work, the role of the community in his creative work, and the challenges he had to overcome to become successful as an African artist. Tune in to learn more!Notable quotes“It brings a lot of confidence as a young artist knowing that there is an audience for what you are making, and there are people who love your work.”“The only secret to success is hard work.”“The colonial governments have left residues in our systems, which is seen in our everyday consumables.”Artworks / Exhibitions mentioned in the episodeSon of the soilTo find out about Mbare Art Space visit their  website or follow them on instagram: mbareartspaceTo find out about Moffat's  current and upcoming exhibitions, follow him  on instagram: @moffattakadiwaIf you enjoyed this episode, remember to leave us a rating or review. It really helps.For more information on The Frame - Conversations with Ayanda Fine Art just visit: www.ayandafineart.comIG: @the.framepodcastIG: @ayandafineartPodcast music by lizzmiri

In  this episode, Ashley Scott opens up on how art has played a great role in her self-development and how she uses it to tell the story of her history and culture. Creating a sculpture is quite different from other forms of art. It involves using various tools, materials, and techniques to make the final piece. The process can be long and arduous, but it has its rewards if done well. Ashley Scott, our guest for today,  explains the process of creating a sculpture in detail. She is an American sculpture artist living and working in Berlin. The basis of her work is her own development in a social context. It ranges from loss and rejection to identity as a black woman and the liberation from colonial structures and racist resentments.Ashley spends more than a year reading and collecting pictures before knowing what to do. The process is both exciting and ugly since it takes time to see your idea in the sculpture. She explains the role of society in sculpture art, the meaning behind the sculptures, the title of titles, the challenges that she has faced, and how there career has evolved. Tune in to learn more!Notable QuotesThe personal evolves into the universal.If you interact with a piece, that is a sculpture, it is supposed to ignite your inner feelings.Never reduce your worth to make others comfortable or understand what you communicate.Shout to the one and only Great-Aunt Fancie!Artworks mentioned in the episodeCreamy CrackFemale Affairs seriesArtist mentioned in the episodeJack Whitten - Notes from the WoodshedTo find out about Ashley's  current and upcoming exhibitions, visit her  website  or follow Ashley on instagram: @ashleydrapesIf you enjoyed this episode, remember to leave us a rating or review. It really helps.For more information on The Frame - Conversations with Ayanda Fine Art just visit: www.ayandafineart.comIG: @the.framepodcastIG: @ayandafineartPodcast music by lizzmiri

How does one transition from being a teacher to being a curator for contemporary art? It calls for a lot of dedication, determination, and great self-will. Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa is living proof that it is possible. She has grown her career as a curator to the level of the Deputy director and curator of contemporary art at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Her most recent projects include curating the Zimbabwe Pavilion at the the 59th La Biennale di Venezia in 2022.The big question remains, how has Fadzai managed to build such a great career and rise the ranks? In this episode she will share her career journey, give some insight into her curatorial practice and why she is passionate about art. Tune in to learn more about Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa  and on the role of a curator in the 21st century.Fadzai's Updated BioFadzai Veronica Muchemwa is a researcher, writer and curator currently operating between Harare, Zimbabwe and Makhanda, South Africa. Her research explores notions of care in artistic practice, national archival records, social justice, histories of cities, topographies of knowledge production and sites of transition. She is currently working on two ongoing projects: Harare/Insomnia and The Oxymoronic Tea Party. She was Curator for Education and Public Programming at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe from 2017 to 2020 and Assistant Curator from 2016-2017, where she co-curated Moulding a Nation: The History of the Ceramics Collection of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (2018–2019), Dis(colour)ed Margins (2017), Culture in Communities (2016), and Jazzified: Expressions of Protest (2016). In addition, she curated The Unseen: Creatures of Myth and Legend, an exhibition of artworks by Isaac Kalambata at the Lusaka National Museum in 2018. As visiting curator at the Bag Factory in Johannesburg in 2019, she produced the publication curating Johannesburg: rest.less, under siege/in transition. In 2021 she curated the exhibition If you think about it, just midding in the meantime or Progression for KKNK virtual Gallery, which was nominated for the Kyknet’s Fiesta awards. She recently curated a group show: I did not leave a sign? for Zimbabwe’s National Participation at the 59th La Biennale di Venezia. Muchemwa is a 2017 fellow of the ITP at the British Museum and the Arts of Africa and the Global Souths program at Rhodes University, South Africa. She collaborates for Independent Curators International and is a founding member of the Practice Theory Collective.To find out more about Fadzai and the Practice Theory Collective on their website or follow her on instagram: @fadzveroIf you enjoyed this episode, remember to leave us a rating or review. It really helps.For more information on The Frame - Conversations with Ayanda Fine Art just visit: www.ayandafineart.comIG: @the.framepodcastIG: @ayandafineartPodcast music by lizzmiri 

In the very first episode of „The Frame“, Sandra Ndachengedzwa talks to patron of the arts and collector Serge Tiroche about his journey from the financial industry for a decade, back to finding his passion in art, and how he balances investment and passion. Besides, he dives deep into why Contemporary African art is gaining momentum and how he tries to keep a clear eye for what’s really good. In addition he discusses how Africa First was founded when the African art market was in its emerging stages and gives some insight into its strong social agenda to promote art from Africa and its Diaspora.Serge is the founder of Africa First, a platform championing African contemporary art on a global scale.Africa First actively promotes the artists in its collection through its website, gallery collaborations, a lending program, digital media, an artist residency, newsletters, sponsorships, prizes and commissions, as well as various forms of collaboration and advisory work with a multitude of institutions in the art ecosystem.To find out about Africa First’s  current and upcoming exhibitions, visit their website  or follow Serge on instagram: @sergetirocheIf you enjoyed this episode, remember to leave us a rating or review. It really helps.For more information on The Frame - Conversations with Ayanda Fine Art just visit: www.ayandafineart.comIG: @the.framepodcastIG: @ayandafineartPodcast music by lizzmiri

Season 1 of The Frame - Conversations with Ayanda Fine Art, will focus on the movers and shapers from Africa and its Diaspora that are disrupting the art market.  The guests will talk about the inspiration behind their art, their collections, and reflect on the catalysts that have had an impact on them. For more information on The Frame - Conversations with Ayanda Fine Art just visit: www.ayandafineart.comIG: @the.framepodcastIG: @ayandafineartTheme music by lizzmiri