Rising artist Johnson Zuze says the presence of litter in his area inspired him to take up art.
BY TATENDA KUNAKA
A full-time artist, Zuze uses disused material such as glass, wire, plastics, metal and rubber to construct his artifacts.
In an interview with Standardlife&-style, Zuze said he was motivated by the need to green and preserve the environment “Where I stay in Chitungwiza (Unit J) people throw litter everywhere,” said Zuze.
“The place had become an eyesore and I thought I could help address the problem by using some of the litter to make art pieces, and that is how I became an artist,” he said.
Zuze is a mixed media artist but calls his type of art Up-Cycling Construction and Studio Glass Movement (both are types of recycling). He has exhibited his works at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and Gallery Delta but said he was now working towards a solo exhibition. “This year I wish to do a solo exhibition called Gutter Rainbows at Njelele Art Gallery,” said Zuze.
He said although he had not communicated with the curator at Njelele, he hoped his idea would get support.
Zuze is among National Art Merit Awards (Nama) nominees in the Outstanding Mix Media category with his work Barking Dog.
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“Being the fifth time I have been nominated, I hope this time I take home the gong,” he said.
His first nomination was in 2009 with his piece Beautiful Struggle but he was beaten by veteran sculptor Dominic Benhura. In 2008, the year he started art, he came second at the Enriching Women competition.
