Harare — Several Zimbabwean sculptors are set to hold a joint exhibition at Mescal Museum of Chicago in the United States.

The exhibition, which will run from August 5 to 24 features some of the recent contemporary artworks by renowned Zimbabwean artists that include Patrick Gutsa and Dickson Matowa.

The exhibition will coincide with the Black American Arts Festival Week and is joint partnership between a local non-governmental-organisation called African Institute for Peace and Development and the Mescal Museum of Chicago.

Chance Mukundwa, one of the organisers, said it was high time that Zimbabwe used such opportunities to expose work of upcoming artists.

"The festival will be an opportunity to showcase some hidden talented artists that Zimbabwe has produced over the last three decades such as the late Richard Rosani, Dickson Matorwa and Antony Sabuneti whose works have received recognition in the art fraternity," he said.

Retlaw Matorwa, the spokesperson of African Institute for Peace and Development, said the exhibition was part of the organisation's efforts to promote arts and culture in the country as main agents of peace and development.

"Artists have a role to play in peace and development initiative hence the need to harness their creativity," he said.

He said part of the works to be exhibited include Intimacy, a piece by the late Richard Rosani which talks about the beauty of creation. The torso depicts figures exhibiting romance and love.

Matorwa's pieces reflect family in an African traditional setting.

He is nicknamed Zimbabwean Piccasso, as his works are a combination of talent and creativity.

Another artist is Patrick Gutsa, a product of the famous Gutsa brothers, who has taken the world by storm with his Choir master sculpture.

Patrick's sculpture reveals the secret behind the Gutsa's success in sculpting whose works are unpredictable and display intelligence in creativity.

Sabuneti, another artist, said the exhibition came at a time when there were few tourists visiting Zimbabwe.

"This is an opportunity to market our country and culture to the international community.

"I hope this exhibition will create an enabling environment for co-operation and partnership with artists in the United States," he said.