Almost every football player’s history begins with such humble tales, but for sculptor Emmanuel Mutizwa, playing soccer as a young boy at Chakadini secondary school in Chihota inspired him to be an artist.
After realising he could not pursue soccer on a professional level, he decided to show his love for sports through art.
Mutizwa, who showcased his works at the just-ended Harare International Festival of the Arts, now boasts of a gallery packed with sculptures depicting various sporting activities that make up the majority of the creative pieces he has done over the past few years.
His pieces are made from springstone, white opal and metal, among other materials that constitute his works.
He said football was his favourite sporting activity though he then developed a liking for basketball and other activities.
Mutizwa said he was inspired and taught by renowned artist Dominic Benhura who discovered him in Chitungwiza where he stayed with his aunt.
“Benhura took me from Chitungwiza to Mabvuku and began teaching me how to develop these works,” said Mutizwa.
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“He was of great inspiration and assistance. I would not have come this far if I had not gone through his mentorship.”
Among his pieces are images of football players, basketball players and athletes.
Most of his pieces can be identified through images of human lips.
Mutizwa said this unique feature of lips symbolised freedom of speech, adding that artists must speak out without fear and show their beliefs and feelings through art.
“As artists, we are supposed to be out speaking through our works, so I have decided to put lips on my works and I have also chosen the sign as the logo of my brand.”He said he hoped to set up a gallery named Helping Hand Art Gallery.
Mutizwa was born in 1976.
