Goromonzi Artist Option Nyahunzvi Brings Zebra Totem to Life at NGZ Exhibition
Goromonzi-based visual artist Option Nyahunzvi staged a striking performance as a zebra totem priest at the official opening of his exhibition, Zvatiri, at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe last week. His portrayal of a Mbizi (zebra) totem priest drew admiration from the guest of honour and former NGZ board chairperson, Solomon Guramatunhu, who described the work as a testament to Zimbabwe’s rich artistic talent. The performance set the tone for an exhibition that blends visual artistry with cultural storytelling, highlighting both heritage and contemporary interpretations of tradition.
Developed over nine months under curator Frank Zvikomborero Mandangu, Zvatiri features a series of paintings and drawings exploring habit, heritage, and the moral compass embedded in Zimbabwean culture. Mandangu explained that the exhibition reflects on how everyday practices, including greetings, posture, and generational conduct, are shaped by traditions inherited from antiquity. He emphasized that Nyahunzvi’s work illustrates how the values of forebears cultivate Unhu, a philosophy emphasizing empathy, respect, and communal living. By drawing connections between Eastern traditions, such as the lotus position, and local resting postures, Mandangu suggested that body language conveys openness and social harmony rather than aggression.
During the opening, NGZ executive director Raphael Chikukwa introduced the guest of honour and highlighted the gallery’s growing international recognition. He noted that the gallery continues to nurture local talent while preparing to host its largest conference yet, the Second Animal Conference, in partnership with international professionals in 2026. Chikukwa emphasized that exhibitions like Zvatiri reinforce Zimbabwe’s cultural narrative and provide platforms for artists to engage with audiences on multiple levels, combining performance, visual art, and historical reflection.
In his address, Solomon Guramatunhu described Nyahunzvi’s exhibition as a spiritual reclamation of identity. He observed that the artist interrogates how colonialist legal frameworks have obscured the wisdom and beauty of Zimbabwean history. Guramatunhu said that Zvatiri portrays the restoration of collective memory through stories, customs, and traditional rituals, encouraging audiences to understand the significance of ancestry and cultural heritage. According to him, the exhibition emphasizes the value of living for the collective good and reconnecting with ancestral knowledge.
Guramatunhu further highlighted that Zvatiri honours objects that carry collective memory, including drums, wooden spoons, clay pots, and sacred artefacts, all of which embody Zimbabwe’s cultural legacy. Through his performance and visual works, Nyahunzvi has created a platform where art intersects with tradition, inviting audiences to explore identity, morality, and communal values. Zvatiri stands as both a celebration of Zimbabwean artistry and a call to preserve and engage with the nation’s cultural heritage.
