mbulelo smpofu
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
A call to creativity and empowerment has been echoed within the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo, leading to the announcement of its third edition of the exhibition, Vital Voices: Accelerate Action.
Set against the backdrop of International Women’s Day, celebrated every year on March 8, this initiative invites female artists to harness the transformative power of art in their pursuit of social change. The submission deadline for the open call has been set for February 25.
Vital Voices is not just an exhibition; it’s a movement that aims to amplify the voices of women, providing a platform where their artistry can resonate with the themes of empowerment, equality, and social justice.
The gallery emphasises that this initiative is a call to action, stressing the urgency of addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face in various aspects of their lives. As the gallery puts it, “Swift and decisive steps are essential to achieving gender equality.”
Eligible artists are women aged 18 and above, residing in Bulawayo, Midlands, and Matabeleland South. The gallery highlighted that the call is inclusive, welcoming both emerging and established artists to submit their work across a spectrum of mediums.
Whether one expresses themselves through painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, or digital art, their voice matters and deserves to be heard.
Submissions must include a current artist statement and biography, along with images of up to three artworks, each ready for hanging and not exceeding 10MB.
Artists are asked to provide essential details such as the materials used, dimensions, pricing, and year of creation. For those working in video or animation, submissions can be conveniently sent via email link or flash drive. It is crucial to ensure that all images comply with copyright regulations, as this maintains the integrity of the artists’ work.
This year’s theme encourages artists to delve into various aspects of women’s experiences. From celebrating the achievements and narratives of women to exploring the intersectionality of their stories across diverse cultures, there is a rich tapestry of ideas waiting to be visually articulated.
The gallery went on to invite submissions that embody hope, resilience, and solidarity among women — powerful sentiments that our society needs now more than ever.
The selection process will be carried out by a review team that will assess artworks based on their artistic merit, relevance to the overarching theme, and the coherence of the exhibition as a whole.
Artists selected for inclusion will be notified via email by February 28, marking the beginning of a significant journey for their work in this impactful exhibition.
All submission documents must be formatted as PDFs and can be sent to [email protected] and [email protected], labelled “VITAL VOICES ACCELERATE ACTION.” Alternatively, artists may choose to hand-deliver their submissions directly to the gallery.
As the deadline approaches, the gallery is eager to receive a diverse array of submissions that not only highlight artistic talent but also ignite conversations around gender equality and women’s empowerment. This is a moment for female artists to shine, to share their stories, and to inspire change through the medium of art.
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Siphakeme .Mnindwa
