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 Kurarama - To Survive16 July 2020 Participating: Ronald Muchatuta Following on from Ronald's well received exhibition at the Stellenbosch Triennale and it's premature
closure due to Covid-19, Ronald created this new body of works during the shut down in South
Africa.
The impact of the pandemic on the global community and the way in which it forced mankind to
slow down, to take a breath and to consider what is most important in our lives has had a marked
affect on Ronald's life and this body of work in particular.
"'Kurarama' means 'to survive' and it is through survival that we find beauty in life and death. "The
Ying-yang philosophy reflects on how the end of life in one dimension can be seen as a fresh start in
another. The circle of life. The burning of the veldt before new vegetation sprouts - The land needs
to breath, We need to breath. This body of work crosses points of our existence. The mark of
existence comes in the forms of legacy, spirituality, youth, beauty, and cultural conditioning.
"Green, Orange, Brown. A smile a kiss. Joint shoes. A spectacle with sighting and vision. Shapes -
forms within foresight. The Joy of Chaos. Happiness riding with thrill. Oh how I missed you colour
", Ronald Muchatuta.
The exhibition consists of 21 new works that explore the range of techniques for which Ronald is
swiftly developing a strong reputation and loyal following. Ronald uses collage, painting, illustration
and marking to create works imbued and layered with texture and meaning.
Ronald was born in Zimbabwe, lives in Cape Town, and much of his work explores one of
Zimbabwe's largest social issues; life in the Diaspora. His practice examines the effect of leaving
one's homeland physically, spiritually and psychologically. Migration, refugees, poverty and all forms
of injustice are often portrayed in his artworks as Ronald uses his platform as a means of change and
discourse in our contemporary context.
For Ronald, art is a means of communication and connection: an inherently social and political
dialogue that is engaged by the creator and the viewer. Art gives important context to our individual
and collective lives. His work is fraught and harrowing – like a people's collective nervous
breakdown translated onto a canvas.
Ronald works across different mediums including illustration, painting, collage and mosaics often
combining different mediums and techniques that make his works relatable, tactile and
evocative. His works are almost melancholy in mood clearly portraying his longing for his homeland
through the delicate, exquisite nature of his illustration and application of materials.
Ronald's artworks grace numerous private, public and corporate collections including The Spier
collection, Hollard, Board members of the Museum of Modern Art (New York), Nandos – fine art
collection, US Senate offices and others based in Africa and abroad. He has participated in numerous
exhibitions in Africa and internationally including the Stellenbosch Triennale and is often invited to
participate in dialogues around issues of pertinence to art and Africa.
VENUE:THE MELROSE GALLERY Address: Shop 10, High Street, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg Cell: +27 83 777 6644 Email: craig@themelrosegallery.com Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday from 09:00 - 17:00. Saturday 09:00 - 15:00. Sunday from 09:00 - 13:00.
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