Art Wall Opening Reception - Zimbabwe Artists

The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica presents 
 
Making Connections Through the Zimbabwe Artists Project - An Art Exhibit 
 
Opening Reception: Sunday, November 3, 2013 from 12:00 - 1:30pm 
Open every Sunday in November from 9:00am – 1:00pm 
 
The Zimbabwe Artists Project (ZAP) aims to strengthen self-sufficiency and deepen cultural  understanding by promoting women artists from rural Weya in Eastern Zimbabwe and selling  their work to art lovers in the U.S. Based in Portland, Oregon, ZAP’s goal is that through this  partnership the women will become economically self-sufficient. 
 
Most of the artists are single mothers or widows providing for their families by farming and  creating art.  Typically, the men from that region, leave to seek work in nearby cities. Income  from agriculture is very unpredictable and limited. The funds raised from art sales help the  women buy food, clothing, medication, seeds and fertilizer. 
 
In addition to providing financial support through the purchase artwork, ZAP provides health  care and educational services to the families and children who have been orphaned. 
 
The artwork addresses issues of gender, colonialism and globalization. Through learning the  personal stories as told by the artists, the hope is that viewers discover a connection with these  strong, talented and accomplished African women. 
 
We thought you might enjoy reading some of the original stories connected to the art that will  be on display throughout the month of November on the Forbes Hall Art Wall masterfully  curated by the very dedicated, long-time UUCCSM member Beverly Alison. 
 
VILLAGE LIFE 
By BEAUTY MUGADZA 
Board painting B3651 
 
Mrs. Charanga is coming from fetching firewood. Chenai is coming from fetching firewood. Mrs. Chenai is washing  clothes. Mrs. Honda and Mrs. Marugu are pounding rapoko (millet). Mrs. Rwanda is playing with the baby. Mrs. Chirara is cooking sadza. Mr. Tawengwa is carving a stick for porridge, and a table. Mrs. Saruwa is sweeping the yard. Mrs. Zambara is weeding vegetables. Mrs. Maruta is serving rapoko. Tapiwa is playing with the ball. Mrs. Chigogo is grinding rapoko. 
 
ARTIST BIO: 
Beauty was born in 1969. She has three teenage children. She learned to paint in 1988. “I paint because it helps me  with house costs: soap, school fees for children and other household expenses. I got married with a man who  wasn’t formally trained (as a builder) and who isn’t regularly employed. I need to help the family.” “I want  Americans to know that I am a woman who works hard. I would like to see what women in other countries do –  are they hardworking like me? I am proud that my children go to school properly dressed and they have enough to  eat because of my hard work.” Her favorite subjects include village life and weddings.
 
 
 
BIRDS OF AFRICA
By VERONICA CHITSIKE 
Fabric painting S 3392
 
One saddle-billed stork is drinking water while the other one is standing in the water. They are  found in Africa. (S 3392) 
 
ARTSIT BIO: 
Veronica was born in 1959. She came to Weya in 1982 as the second wife of her husband. She has three children,  ages 9 to 19. She learned how to create art in 1988. She felt it was a thing she could do as a woman, and she  needed money. “I am a full-time housewife who looks after children, fetches firewood, does plowing, herds cattle and takes them to the dipping tank. I have quite a lot of work.” She has time for her artwork during the rainy season only on weekends, with more time available during the dry season. Her favorite topics are wild animals (“baboons who live here in this place”) and village life.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EVERYDAY LIFE 
By SARUDZAI SHONGE 
Applique A 3118
 
Waual, here is the exact fruit tree which I was looking for, the muzhange (Uapaca kirkiana) tree,” said Mrs. 
Mungure. “Are we going to pick-up some mushrooms first or fetch some firewood,” asked Mrs. Jowa sitting on a  stone. “I think we will fetch the firewood first and the mushrooms later,” replied Mrs. Shonge. “My children are 
about to come back from school so let me prepare lunch for them,” said Mrs. Chakwenya. Mrs. Paradza is carrying  her bundle of firewood on her head and is going home. (A 3118) 
 
ARTIST BIO: 
Sarudzai was born in 1972, the youngest of eight children. She attended school through the equivalent of 10th grade after which family financial constraints kept her from going further. She was married four years after  leaving school and has three children. She lives with her husband and children in Gokwe in central Zimbabwe. Sarudzai learned to do appliqué from her sister, Orpah Mungure, in 1990. She makes art to help with family expenses. Her favorite topics include lovers, village life and “at the market.”
 
Exhibit Information:
 
Admission is free 
 
Open to the Public: 
Sundays in November from 9AM - 1 PM 
Opening Reception: Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 12:00 - 1:30 
Meet the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Artists Project. Light refreshments. 
Closing Reception: Sunday, November 27, 2013 at 12:00 - 1:30 
 
Open by appointment: 
Monday through Thursday: 10am-5pm 
Fridays: 10am-1pm. 
Contact: Nancy assistant@uusm.org, 310-829-5436, ext. 102 
 
Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica 
1260 18th  St, Santa Monica 90404 (corner of 18th  and Arizona) 
Sunday parking in structure on 16th  Street south of Arizona Ave. 

 

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