Local female sculptor, Charity “Cherrie” Bandason will represent the country at the Kunst Rout exhibition in the Netherlands from May 25 to June 2.
by Tinashe Sibanda
Bandason is currently in the Netherlands preparing for the exhibition.
The exhibition was created to commemorate one of the world’s greatest artistes, Vincent Willem van Gogh. The Dutch post-Impressionist painter’s work was popular for its rough beauty, emotional honesty and bold colour and had a far-reaching influence on 20th century art.
“I’m glad to be in the Netherlands nine years since my last visit. Things have changed. with the recession people are tighter on their spending and there is so much of our art in Europe,” said Bandason. She is residing in a small town called Etten Leur, where she is preparing her works at Titambire Art Gallery.
Bandason said working at Titambire was of great significance to her. “The gallery is celebrating its 12th anniversary and I am also commemorating 12 years after the death of my husband, who was a great pillar of strength and support in my career.
“I hope the weather will be good during the exhibition so we can have some people buying some pieces for their mothers, as it will be Mother’s Day soon.”
Bandason added that after her participation in the Kunst Rout, she had also been invited to participate in exhibitions and workshops for an extra three weeks from June 6 to July 6 in Germany at the Gallery into Africa. The vibrant woman is among Zimbabwe’s successful female sculptors, in an industry that was initially male-dominated.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Last year she was the only Zimbabwean and only female sculptor among over 120 artists who took part in the Koku 2012 exhibition in Rheinehessen, Germany.
She came into the limelight in 2008 when American multimillionare, Christopher Garner, after his movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, requested that she does a sculpture for him.
In the movie, Gardner’s personal struggle to establish his stock-broking career while balancing fatherhood and homelessness is portrayed in the motion picture starring Will Smith and directed by Gabriele Muccino.
Bandason, who started sculpting in 1994, has exhibited in Europe and also organised exhibitions for the Tengenenge Arts community’s young artists until 1999. In 2003 she organised a successful exhibition in Germany, which attracted more than 11 000 visitors.
The exhibition had other local participants including her role model Maudi Mariga (the widow of the late father of sculptor in Zimbabwe, Joram Mariga), Enos Gunja, Tom Bloemfield, Ben Joosten and Roy Guthrie.
