4 minute read
The Power of Love
by Kudzanai Katerere
There is something really philosophical about expressing thoughts and feelings through stone. A medium so humble, yet stubborn. Resilient, yet vulnerable. It is these qualities of both stone and love that Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Katerere seeks to tap into. His latest exhibit, aptly titled The Power Of Love, opens 2 June at Bellhaus. It follows a long train of successful workshops and solo exhibitions in Namibia.
While the showcase was yet to be curated into the Bellhaus Atelier & Galerie, I had the privilege of seeing his stone sculptures, nonchalantly on a Tuesday, on the wood tables in the centre of the gallery. They were being packed out of storage and dusted off, before going back to safekeeping until the exhibit. Without all the bells and whistles of curation and that gallery exhibition-opening buzz, the sculptures are honest, raw and speak for themselves. Which is precisely what Kudzanai wants them to do. The artist insists: “I hereby allow my art to speak by itself to the people and the community by bringing my feelings and my thoughts into a speaking stone.”
His relationship with stone carving goes back to the tender age of eight. Unfortunate circumstances kept Kudzunai out of school. The only “teachers'' in his area were stone sculptors. In the absence of academics, he spent his days herding cattle in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. His proximity to nature stirred an interest and intrigue in the sculptures hidden among the boulders and mountains of his surroundings. He took a few rocks home and fashioned his own tools to begin carving and shaping the stone to his desire, inspired by his uncle’s craftsmanship in metalsmithing.
Kudzanai’s sculptures are based on the traditions of the Shona people. The way in which he goes about depicting the relationship of man and nature is what makes the artist one of the few who remain true to the ethos of the grand masters of the movement.
The Power Of Love explores our collective condition of grief, recovery and triumph despite all odds brought about by the strange times we are living in. Kudzanai seeks to carve out and accentuate the theme that true, unconditional love is revealed through difficulty. The nature of his stone sculptures is peaceful and gracious, because love should not be frightening, says Kudzanai. According to the artist, the power of love becomes tangible when we face hardship, especially collectively like in the past two years. This exhibition aims to be comforting, approachable and – like most art – completely up to the viewer’s interpretation.
One sculpture in particular caught my attention. It appears to be a small dog, curled up in a comfortable position, taking a nap. The juxtaposition of a relatable memory so soft and kind, carved into a medium so hard and unruly reiterates Kudzanai’s theme of power (the stone) and love (man’s best friend).
The Power Of Love comes at a time where we could all do with a little compassion, and that word just about sums up the feelings which Kudzanai Katerere seeks and achieves in bringing out in the viewer.
Bellhaus Atelier & Galerie is located in the Grüner Kranz complex, 18 Bell Street, Windhoek. The Power of Love opens on 2 June at 18:00 for 18:30 and closes 14 July.
Kudzanai Katerere
Charene Labuschagne
