HIV/AIDS IN STONE: The story of HIV/AIDS captured by Zimbabwean sculptors.

BY VIVIENNE PRINCE.

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Widows Lament

Promoting Zimbabwean sculptors for the last five years has been one of the most challenging, enjoyable and heartbreaking experiences I’ve encountered in my humble life.

Originally from the UK, I didn’t know much about death, like most people I knew. Perhaps that’s why we’re scared of a sculpture titled ‘Helping My HIV Friend’ or ‘Widow’s Lament’…

Living and working with Zimbabweans, gave me the opportunity to know some talented sculptors, who indeed became work companions. Unfortunately some of them contracted HIV and have since died of AIDS related causes. I was inconsolable with grief, time after time I was losing my friends and I didn’t know why anyone didn’t help them. Let alone me.

The sad thing is that I now feel numb with grief when someone passes away and instead like everyone else here does, I just say ‘sorry’ – no more tears are flowing.

Over the years I have been approached in Zimbabwe by NGO’s and campaigners to exhibit artists’ work or commission sculptures related to HIV/AIDS, at their events, in their foyers and offices.

When it comes to exhibiting them overseas, we get a different reaction.

Whilst ‘open’ minded people were happy to see us broach the subject of HIV/AIDS with sculptures in our overseas exhibitions – most people then worried about it too much. With Zimbabwe constantly in the news as only negative ‘news’ can be – it bears down as a burden on most peoples minds. Even if it were subconsciously, it affected the way they viewed the rest of the show and thus the other artists’ work – perhaps everything then became political? Final results could mean not selling anything at all for all of the artists…

We decided to focus on the fact the artists are crossing ALL boundaries to achieve the goal of a completed sculpture – despite ALL the problems they have to face in Zimbabwe – only ONE of them being HIV/AIDS.

Most people do not want to look at an artistic ornament that brings them grief or makes them think too much about someone else’s suffering. Instead they would rather look at a classic sculpture of a naked torso that carries no similar emotional burdens, but instead depicts themes they can easily identify and deal with. Shallow you may say, but honest.

HIV Virus

So in the end I have to change certain titles of some sculptures in order to sell them. For example, the socially conscious sculpture by the artist Dudzai Mushawepwere, which he called the “HIV VIRUS” became “Abstract”, and “WIDOWS LAMENT” became “Thoughtful” and so on…but this IS Zimbabwe’s social consciousness and voice presented in stone! I feel a cheat for having to change the titles that the artists would have initially ascribed to their work, but how else can the work be sold?

One exception is public art, and commissions, many for health and aid institutions all over the world. In a way I feel this is more appropriate, it is viewed by more people who are specifically working in this field and can appreciate it for what it is, not being confused or worried about it’s background or political bias.

Nevertheless, I find that Zimbabwe’s stone sculptures are an artistic interpretation of reality… they make the viewer think, which is a powerful tool. The art is challenging and striking. The artists have a passion, which is channeled through their art. Most viewers will never know fully how the reality of HIV/AIDS affects the people it touches, but they can imagine from what the artist is trying to portray, as to what environment he may live in.