Artist George Masarira’s new exhibition at Con Hill draws parallels from life within various cities and informal settlements in South Africa and Zimbabwe
By Edward Tsumele
A few months ago, I attended an exhibition that opened at Constitutional Hill Gallery oragnised by Madlozi Art Gallery owned by curator Beathur Mgoza Baker. It is an exhibition which at face value displayed a chaotic urban street scene that those of us who live and earn their living in the urban areas of many metropolitan spaces are so familiar with: Hawkers hawking all kinds of things. Homeless people sleeping rough on streets. Migrant workers carrying stuff on their heads and backs, going to long distance bus and tax ranks. It is only when you focused more intensely that you could see that the story of that exhibition was more than street chaos. It is an exhibition that depicted the precarious existence of those who find themselves in foreign lands as refugees running away from wars, and in some cases, from the economic meltdowns in their own countries due to mismanagement by political leaders and corruption by those wielding the levers of power. These too are familiar issues that many South Africans know so well.
It is then that I really got interested in speaking to the artist. But unfortunately I could not do so as he left for his home country, Zimbabwe after he had told me at the opening of the exhibition that he works between Harare and Cape Town, but was in Johannesburg for the opening of the exhibition. I was disappointed not to be able to speak to him.
But I should not have worried because George Masarira is back in Johannesburg with yet another that is opening this Saturday at Constitution Hill. A HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY: Exploring notions of ‘home’ and belonging will open on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Constitution Hill, Number 4 in the former Men’s Prison, Upstairs from the Ghandi / Mandela exhibition and installation
“We are pleased to invite you to join us on Saturday for the opening of an exhibition observing the human rights and dignity of all South Africans, including migrant communities, refugees, the undocumented and displaced persons.
As part of the human rights festival 2024 Madlozi Contemporary Art, Constitution Hill Creative Uprising Hub, and We-The-People are pleased to invite you to the opening of A HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY’, the art exhibition and intervention by Zimbabwean-born artist George Masarira.
George Masarira (b 1990). Talented abstract expressionist painter George Masarira asks critical questions about what it means to belong, the impact of forced migration, uprootedness and the importance of ‘home’. He debuts new works for the exhibition, following on from his successful exploration of equally critical themes in ‘Jambanja, Urban Chaos Interrputed’.
Artist’s Reflection
‘My work in ‘A Home Is Not A Country’ explores how Jambanja delves into the heart of this tumultuous journey of survival, drawing parallels from life within various cities and informal settlements in South Africa and Zimbabwe where I observed conditions are similar. The humanity I tried to capture in my portraits, the tenacity and raw emotions in the paintings are a reflection of the determination to survive against the odds.
This work is testament to the indomitable spirit of the people who transform chaos and invisibility, economic deprivation and destitution into a different kind of art – the art of survival, and living with hope. We invite you to explore the exhibition and see their journeys to witness and reflect upon the honesty and courage, the humanity and truth I have tried to capture in the works on show’,”George Masarira
Masarira reflects on his paintings in the exhibition and how they reflect his own experiences growing up poor and constantly moving and watching his parents exchange their labour for survival. He responds to the drive each person has to improve their lives and economic situation and to rise above the odds stacked up against them – especially when living in a foreign country with no resources and support – both in his country of birth and in cities around South Africa.
I look forward to seeing you at the opening, or during the course of the exhibition.
Let me know if you would like to be sent a digital artwork catalogue,” says gallery owner and curator Beathur Mgoza Baker.
Exhibition Opening
11h00 on Saturday 16th March 2024
Constitution Hill, Number 4 in the former Men’s Prison
Upstairs from the Ghandi / Mandela exhibition and installation
The Address
11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg