Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
4 March 2008
Harare — THE way we look at the world is different from the way artists look at it, but it is all the more revealing when we see the world through their eyes.
This is what Barry Lungu, an abstract realism artist has done in his one-man exhibition running at the Richard Rennie Art Gallery.
He sees things in the world that ordinary people do not and his paintings have a clarity of movement, expression and light.
For instance, you can clearly see where people are going and where they are coming from. Such talent differentiates ordinary people from artists because they are passionate about their works and courageously share their feelings and interpretations with us.
On show are several paintings by Lungu that portray Zimbabweans going to work and how they survive in difficult situations in his self titled style of Afro Impressionism.
Acrylic on board are his preferred medium, which he applies with quick uninhibited strokes. He rarely works from photos, preferring to work from sketches he makes from day to day life.
As one takes a closer look at his fascinating paintings there is one dominate subject, and that is women.
It is Lungu's point of view that families survive because of women who plan, network and unite all. He shows women going out of their way to make ends meet unlike in the past when women would sit at home, but now have to talk to each other and see how things can be solved.
Paintings such as Chikwanha Shops in Chitungwiza, Rain Days, Have You Heard the News and News Reader explore the idea that women are the backbone of society.
Rumour Has It shows a group of women gossiping -- it could be in the ghettos or anywhere where you would find women talking about the latest news.
One For the Road is a term commonly used by drinkers who take a beer or two before they leave their favourite watering holes and also the title of one of the paintings. In the painting we see a drunkard with his head on a table full of empty beer bottles.
Have You Heard the News depicts women reading a newspaper while Rain Days shows women during rainy season in acrylic paint on paper.
Lungu's works are a reflection of how a good gallery works with artists to develop their talents, for example incorporating depth perspective in their work. His early works are a far cry from what is presently on show at Richard Rennie Art Gallery.
"The most important thing is that Barry Lungu's work is growing in its international appeal, his figures are not so naïve and have depth and his work is indeed exciting.
"These are the benefits of working with a good gallery because it takes you to another level. Galleries not only sell art but also the artists themselves," Judy Ballantyne, the managing director of the gallery said.
She said Zimbabwean artists remain uninhibited -- their use of colour, choice of subjects ensure they continue to grow in depth.
Barry was born in Harare and works from his home in Chitungwiza. Coming from an artistic family, Barry was encouraged from a young age to develop his inherent abilities, from scribbling cartoons on the walls of his family home to become a well known name in the Zimbabwe art world.
After qualifying from the BAT School of Art, Barry started painting professionally and has gone on to exhibit his work both locally and internationally.
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