Mathias Chirombo
Zimbabwean-born Mathias Chirombo is a final-year art student at Rhodes University. Recently, he mounted a solo exhibition at the 2010 National Arts Festival that was held in Grahamstown, South Africa from 20 June to
4 July.
Mathias writes: I enjoyed every minute of the festival. It was tough but it was worth it. The exhibition itself looked highly successful in terms of the display and lighting I put up with help from a few friends of mine. It wasn't a good space but we turned it into a magical space. For spot lights, I used security lights which hung from the ceilling and the work was really challenging. The space was a corridor which looked like the worst space but we turned it into being the best space in the museum – we made the best of what I had been given.
It was very difficult setting up as it was a group exhibition with four stone sculptors. Many of their sculptures were in the garden so I had to run around and get some wooden stumps with the borrowed old zim bakkie. It took four days to set up until the last minute before opening.
Finally the crowds started coming in and, even though it was a low turnout for the festival, I had a huge crowd go through my doors numbering at least 1 200. I was manning my show from 9am-5pm daily for two weeks. I handed out a sheet of paper to most visitors as an exhibition description to help them understand what the work is about and I gave out 1 200 copies to those who wanted them. I ran out of business cards and ended
up giving them my details on the sheets. It got really hectic.
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The response was highly encouraging and many other artists came to see my work and really enjoyed it. They felt it was very different to the mainstream and loved it. Many people spent half an hour looking at the work as it seeks to make a conversation with the viewer so the energy never dies.
I had quite a few interviews with journalists at the festival and some publications on websites like zimbojam.com (1), zimbojam.com (2), artsblog.co.za (1), artsblog.co.za (2) and cue.ru.ac.za.
So it was great and people really loved the work.
I managed to sell two works and many they said they would get back to me later as they are still thinking about the work. So who knows, most of the other work might be bought soon but I want to have an exhibition later after I am finished with my studies in December or January next year. If I get more exposure I am sure things will go well! The coverage of my exhibition was really amazing and the face to face discussion with viewers was the best.
What do you think guys?