The Mudariki Post

We are living in exciting times. In my opinion, the future of the African continent has never looked brighter than today. We live in an era of relative peace, freedom, ease of communication and travel, better health facilities and education.   Though this generation has its own unique challenges, they are in sharp contrast to the inequalities and oppression experienced during the eras of slavery, colonialism and apartheid. The ‘born free generation’ can only imagine how harsh life would have been during those times.  Many artists from previous generations had their work dismissed as primitive - only to be exhibited as tribal art. It took many years of struggle, commitment and creativity for visual artists like Thomas Mukarobgwa, George Pemba and El Anatsui, among others, to be recognized by the dominant western art world as true visual artists and for their work to be considered valuable.  Most of these early generation artists on the African continent ar...

Greetings followers, friends and colleagues. I need your support to make the best of a fantastic opportunity to expand my perspective as a visual artist.  In the beginning of the year, l was awarded a six week artist residency to the Fountainhead Residency in Miami, USA by the Africa Centre Artist in Residency Programme ( http://www.africacentre.net/announcing-the-air-2015-award-laureates ). The residency award includes a round trip air fare to and from the USA as well as accommodation and a studio space. I am extremely grateful to the Africa Centre and the Fountainhead Residency in providing me with this unique opportunity. I am also grateful for the continued support of colleagues, friends, mentors, galleries and collectors. None of the accomplishments achieved over the past ten years would not have been possible without them. The cost of materials, visa, local travel and upkeep during the six weeks in Miami is my responsibility.   America is known as having a vibrant a...

African contemporary art and artists have been receiving international support over the past few years. One platform that is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art from the continent to new audiences in the western world is the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair. Bringing together 15 exhibitors and over 70 emerging and established artist from Africa, the art fair launched its first edition in London in 2013. In just two years, the fair has moved from being an annual platform to a biannual platform, having launched a New York edition in May. According to its Artistic director, Koyo Kouoh, the art ‘fair promotes contemporary African visual culture, while synchronously fostering a site for exchange and discussion’. 1:54 FORUM 2015 Artist Talk: Marc Stanes and Richard Mudariki in conversation, London (image courtesy of ARTCo Gallery) This year’s London edition featured 38 exhibitors, and had over 150 emerging and established African and African diasporan artists. Running par...

  Richard and Joachim from ARTCO Galerie in front of a Ransome Stanely painting at Cape Town Art Fair 2015 ARTCO Galerie is pleased to announce their cooperation with South African based artist Richard Mudariki. Richard holds a BA in Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies, and studied painting under the mentorship of Helen Lieros and Greg Shaw at Gallery Delta in Harare, Zimbabwe. Known for his modernist paintings replete with social commentary, he has participated in various exhibitions in South Africa, Germany and Zimbabwe.  ARTCO now represents Richard Mudariki in Europe in association with Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town, South Africa.  ARTCO is showing paintings by Richard at 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair in New York, 15-17 May 2015

I recently conducted an interview with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe on the occasion of being awarded an award for the painting '8 o clock News' at the Zimbabwe Annual Exhibition 2014 1   National Gallery Of Zimbabwe (NGZ ) : You recently won 3rd Prize at the Zimbabwe Annual Exhibition. What do you think about the reintroduction of this exhibition? Richard Mudariki (RM) :   As the creative industries become increasingly important in many economies, as well as in global trade, I feel that the reintroduction of the Zimbabwe Annual Heritage Exhibition after so many years is a welcome move. It was, and still is, seen as a means of developing, empowering and promoting Zimbabwean visual artists, and at the same time, showcasing emerging talent from the country, and contributing to the international dialogue around African contemporary art. 8 o Clock News, Oil on Canvas, 150x150cm  NGZ: "8 O' Clock News" graphically analyses society; the media and th...