Dying to Be Men by M.J. / September 16

is the first solo exhibition in Cape Town, by young Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Chiurai.

Born in 1981, one year after Zimbabwe established independence from Rhodesia, Chiurai is regarded as part of the “Born Free” generation. The first black student to complete a BAFA at the University of Pretoria Chiurai worked within the formal gallery system, but continued to practice in informal networks and situations.

His early works focused on the political, economic and social strife in his homeland and in the lead-up to the 2008 Zimbabwean elections Chiurai distributed stencils at solidarity meetings highlighting its political situation, creating a viral campaign in the streets of Johannesburg which was followed by the publication of a series of open edition agitprop posters. Seminal works like “presidential wallpaper” depicted Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe as a “sell-out” which ultimately led to Chiurai’s exile from Zimbabwe.

Now based in Johannesburg, Chiurai’s practice as an artist and activist has garnered him considerable attention. “Dying to be Men” continues Chiurai’s interest in the aesthetics of propaganda, and interrogates the visual legacy of political representation. At the convergence of major political events – elections in South Africa, the USA and Zimbabwe – Chiurai hones in on aspects of the image of the black president and his cabinet in particular. As such, the works on show unpack notions of masculinity and power, as evocatively suggested by the title of the exhibition which was recently on display at the Goodman Gallery in Cape Town, South Africa.

*Shouts out to Scoop for modeling and to Spoek Mathambo on the heads up on this one.

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