During the last week, a couple of very politically charged art exhibitions have come under extreme scrutiny from the keepers of peace and silencers of opposition. Having been privy to the contents of both exhibitions and following very closely the developments in either instance, I find it only prudent to let the public know that a medium as powerful as the visual arts is not something that is to be toyed with. Zimright opened a steamy exhibition of photographs dating back to the Presidential and general elections in 2008. the pictures, rather uncalled for, demonstrate the results of political violence and obviously have a bias towards one party. the exhibition which opened in the amphitheatre of the Delta Gallery in Harare came under the spotlight on Wednesday morning when it was confiscated just hours before the launch of the show.
the second, an exhibition of paintings and installations when up on Thursday at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. A highly charged exhibition titled Gukurahundi, the exhibition sought to address the happenings in the Midlands and Matabeleland regions of Zimbabwe in the early 1980s. the artist behind the show, Owen Maseko, was arrested the following morning and has been charged with three counts of POSA (details available).
while it is respected that freedom of expression is a right, discretion and sensitivity are critical is addressing issues of such gravitas. the nation is currently in a state of growth and political settling. the last thing that the nation of Zimbabwe needs is politically charged statements such as these which serve no less than to open wounds of events gone by.
While I am of the firm belief that closure is required for both issues but such indiscretion and lack of sensitivity is by no means the way to go about it.
Gukurahuni and 2008 did happen, we all know, but this is not the way to go about addressing the sensitive issues... And you wonder why freedom and other civil liberties are often stifled?
Understanding for one another is the way to go if we are to eat the fruits of Abundant Zimbabwe.
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