President previews the Stars Are Bright Exhibition

President previews the Stars Are Bright Exhibition

Mako Jerera

President Emmerson Mnangagwa jas previewed the “Stars Are Bright Exhibition” at the National Art Gallery in an exhibition meant to explore a rediscovered collection of extraordinary paintings and drawings by artists. The exhibition marks the return of one of Zimbabwe’s amazing artwork collections, created by young students from Cyrene Mission School in the 1940s.

The paintings and drawings in the exhibition were created by over 40 artists over a seven year period. The students painted historical encounters as they imagined them as well as the world around them.
In the 1940s, young students from Cyrene Mission School in Matebeleland created amazing pieces of art work.

All of the talented painters attended Cyrene, a mission school founded in 1940 in colonial Zimbabwe and located amidst varied and colourful natural surroundings that inspired the visual imagination of the students.

After a successful tour in European countries and a final exhibition in London, the art works were stored at the St Michael’s and All Angels’ Church in Shore ditch.

Seventy years later, the art works are back home and President Mnangagwa was shown the pieces at a private preview at the National Gallery.

In a speech after the tour, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed government’s commitment to support the creative cultural industries. He said the ‘Stars Are Bright Collection’ signifies the importance of artworks in Zimbabwe, pledging government‘s continued support for the local arts sector.

“This artwork collection being showcased at this exhibition is a testimony that the arts, culture and creative industries have long been part of our daily lives. My government under the Second Republic, recognises the need to create an environment for holistic national development,”

“Beyond a modern and industrialised economy, it is critically important to invest in sectors that feed and drive the soul and give our communities, and the nation as a whole, identity and character,” said President Mnangagwa

President Mnangagwa said artists have a huge role to playing in telling the true story of Zimbabwe.

“The true story of our country has not yet been fully told. I thus challenge artists and researchers to unravel and tell the uncorrupted Zimbabwean story including through creative art works.”

The President urged artists to resist being manipulated by those pursuing their own agenda but they should rather use their talent to advance unity and peace.

“Do not allow yourselves to be manipulated by some western entities for their own dubious agenda , yet others may attempt to use you to subvert your own country as well as deprive present and future generations of hearings and seeing the world through reflections of your artworks.”

President Mnangagwa commended the various organisations that have ensured the important artwork is preserved.