George Nene

George Nene (1959[1]–2005) was one of Zimbabwe's best known artists. In 1988 his contributions to the nation[2][3][4][5] were memorialized on a Zimbabwean stamp.

His earliest training in art was more than modest, as he first began sketching under the tutelage of South African artist 'Thami'; Thamsanga Mnyele, while serving a prison sentence for armed robbery in Gaborone, Botswana. During that time, he was also a Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) guerrilla. Nonetheless, his art became well known enough that he exhibited at the National Museum as part of a two-man show, while completing his eight-year sentence.[6]

Nene created most of his work in acrylics and watercolor.[7] Much of George Nene's art was inspired by 'traditional daily life', such as that portrayed on the book cover for "Art from the Frontline: Contemporary Art from Southern Africa"[8] and by religious themes. One example is a mural painted in a small church near Bulawayo, titled "Birth of Christ the King of Peace"[9] Some of his paintings were displayed and sold from the Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre on the outskirts of Bulawayo. Nene's artistic contributions were also recognized by the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe.

In December 2005, Nene died in Gokwe.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Oyekan Owomoyela (2002), Culture and customs of Zimbabwe, Greenwood Press, p67
  2. ↑ The world of art: George Nene--artist with hope by Gordon Metz, Zebra's voice. 10 (4) 1983, pages 5-7. Gaborone : National Museum and Art Gallery
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ George Nene's Retrospective Exhibition, National Gallery in Bulawayo, Zimbabawe. 31 May to 30 June 2007.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Wylie, Diana (2008) Art and Revolution: The Life and Death of Thami Mnyele, South African Artist. Reconsiderations in Southern African History, Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, p.134.
  7. ↑ Keith Bruce, The Herald, 18 May 1990, Frontline African artist goes on a Glasgow voyage of discovery
  8. ↑ Art from the Frontline: Contemporary Art from Southern Africa - Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe by Peter Sinclair, Frontline States Ltd (14 Nov 1991), 128 pages.
  9. ↑ .
  10. ↑ Circular Letter to Clergy, Religious and Leaders 1/2006, 15 March 2006, Bulawayo Archdiocese.
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