COLLECTIVE VISION

In one of Harare’s busiest townships is Mbare Art Space – a cultural hub that has become an influential landmark for Zimbabwe’s art scene. A beerhall in the colonial era, the centre – co-founded by world-renowned artist Moffat Takadiwa – is now nurturing talent and engineering a new art economy in the heart of Harare. Photographs by Simon de Swardt

Mbare Art Space: a place where people can become artists

Mbare Art Space co-founder Moffat Takadiwa is an artist known around the world for his large-scale installations made from consumer waste; collectors of his work include Jay-Z, Beyoncé and actor Kevin Hart.

At Takadiwa’s Mbare Art Space studio, piles of discarded items such old keyboards, toothbrushes and bottle caps lie waiting to be transformed into intricate artworks, anticipating becoming part of something greater (above).
Takadiwa challenges how we think about value and consumerism; his work shows us how discarded materials can tell a powerful story about the environment, waste, inequality and cultural identity. It’s through this process that Takadiwa reminds us that transformation can start with seeing value where others don’t.

Mbare Art Space: a place where creativity meets innovation

Mbare Art Space is a place where creative ideas can be shared and developed, strengthening its role as a centre for culture and learning. It’s a popular venue for workshops, exhibitions, community meetings and cultural events; it brings together artists, students and entrepreneurs to encourage collaboration and support innovation.

A great example of this is Uncommon.org’s residency at Mbare Art Space’s Innovation Hub (above). This American nonprofit funds digital and creative skills courses for Zimbabwean students; young people from Mbare and surrounding areas can take part in workshops – free of charge – where they learn coding and design, helping them to turn creativity into opportunity (above).

Mbare Art Space also plays host to a wonderful range of exhibitions such as last year’s “If These Walls Could Talk”. The show explored Mbare’s long and complex history through a diverse range of media including art, photography and storytelling. In the main exhibition space, once the Mbare township’s most popular beerhall, a display of suspended clay pots (below) symbolised memory, home and heritage, honouring those who built Mbare’s cultural identity.

Mbare Art Space: a place where
dreams are realised

Mbare Art Space brings together painters, sculptors and designers of all different ages and from all different backgrounds. Collaboration between the residents is encouraged, with artists often sharing resources, ideas and feedback on each other’s artworks. This sense of community is central to Mbare Art Space’s mission to support emerging talent and build a sustainable creative culture in Harare.

One such resident artist is Nkosiyabo Frank Nyoni (above) whose studio is filled with tools, sketches and canvases; its light, colour and energy perfectly reflect the creative community that surrounds him. Totally self-taught, Nyoni takes his inspiration from Shona culture and Mbare itself: the markets, the people and the rhythms of township life.

Mbare Art Space: a place that celebrates resourcefulness

Another of Mbare Art Space’s resident artists is Takunda Regis Billiat (above) whose speciality is sculpture made from recycled materials. His work explores themes of sustainability and renewal, showing how creativity can turn everyday objects into powerful visual statements. His pieces reflect Mbare’s resilience and resourcefulness – key themes for the community at Mbare Art Space.

Takudzwa Nyambi

Mbare Art Space, Bhasoppo Moyo, Harare.
IG: @mbare_art_space