Kufa Makwavarara

The appreciation of geographical features surrounding social life, current events, personal experiences and different cultures has inspired me to be an artist, who mainly focuses on these aspects in my paintings.

My talent was nurtured during primary and secondary education in Glen Norah, Harare, Zimbabwe.At school I would draw some features on chalk boards and my teachers encouraged me to pursue art because the drawings were good. I grew up going to church so I decided to put some Biblical verses into paintings, so you will see some paintings with a Biblical background. I did study further for art this helped me to improve my techniques. Due to aspects that inspire my artistic practise you can see that most of my paintings are diverse and have a different concept.

Kufa Makwavarara’s talent was first recognised by his teachers at Glen Norah primary school where he was often caught drawing on the school blackboards. Instead of punishing him however, they encouraged him to carry on drawing and throughout his schooling career he won a number of art prizes at both a local and national level.

This budding young artist then went on to study at the Zimbabwean National Gallery’s Visual Art Studio from 2001-2003. Now, with works in both the permanent collection of the Zimbabwe National Gallery, the Delta Gallery (Harare) as well as in the private collection of the Spanish Embassy, Mkwavarara’s blackboard days are far behind him.

Although born and raised in the Glen Norah township in Harare, Zimbabwe, Mkwavarara now resides in Cape Town. He draws inspiration from all that surrounds him, his bright palette and striking use of light melding together to produce vibrant scenes of everyday life.

Selected Exhibitions/Awards:
2018
Group Exhibition 'Five Bhobh – Painting at the End of an Era', at Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town

2015
Group Exhibition 'Emergence' at Ebony, Cape Town

2014
Group Exhibition 'Emergence' at Ebony, Cape Town

2013
Group Exhibition 'Summer Exhibition' at The Gallery Delta, Harare, Zimbabwe
Group Exhibition Sponsored By The European Union Delegation To The Republic Of Zimbabwe 'From Sound To Form'

2012
Won Second Price In An Exhibition By The E.U Delegation To Zimbabwe “Traditional, Family And Religion

2010
Group Exhibition 'Roots' at The Gallery Delta In Zimbabwe

2009
Won First Prize In An Exhibition By The Embassy Of Germany In Zimbabwe “Walls”