Seeing ourselves. Ediz. illustrata

This is a timely survey of Zimbabwe's contemporary art scene as exhibited during the 54th Venice Biennale. "Seeing Ourselves" is a necessary and timely survey of current trends in contemporary Zimbabwean art. It creates new viewpoints and asks us to reconsider "What is contemporary art?" Invited to see through the eyes of four artists - Tapfuma Gutsa, Calvin Dondo, Berry Bickle, and Misheck Masamvu - exhibiting in the Zimbabwe Pavillion at the 54th Venice Biennale, we also encounter questions about Zimbabwe's geographical landscape, its complex history, contentious present, and hopeful future. By bringing Zimbabwean artists to an international platform, by showcasing works from a variety of mediums - painting, photography, sculpture, and video installation - we spark discussions about the role of the artist in society.

Raphael Chikukwa is Curator of Contemporary Arts at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.