In southern Africa
townships
These areas were established as separate urban districts exclusively for Black individuals. They came into existence due to colonial and white minority governance policies that restricted mobility, limited opportunities, and enforced segregation.
I was raised in a distinct historical black township in Zimbabwe, but
Mbare
It was the pioneer of its kind. It occupies a distinctive spot in the nation’s imagination.
Initially called Harare, Mbare’s name was changed to its current designation in 1982 when that title was transferred to the nation’s capital city. Throughout its rich history, it has been the vibrant core of black urban culture. Situated at its center is
Rufaro Stadium
, where
Bob Marley & The Wailers
notably featured during Zimbabwe’s independence festivities.
The township buzzed with cultural vibrancy, sporting activities, and political engagement, with the local community beer halls serving as essential meeting spots. Nowadays, numerous such beer halls lie abandoned.
These formerly bustling public areas mirror the widespread disregard for civil infrastructure in post-independence Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, from this decay, fresh beginnings are emerging.
A key figure in Zimbabwe’s artist-driven initiatives movement,
Moffat Takadiwa
, has converted one of these previous beer halls into the
Mbare Art Space
The vibrant arts center recaptures the essence of assembly, innovation, and community involvement inherent in the building’s initial purpose.
Operated under a lengthy lease granted by the Harare City Council, this non-profit endeavor forms an integral part of a broader initiative.
city revitalization and adaptable repurposing initiative
intended to reinvent the city’s cultural framework.
My
ongoing work
In archival research, activities such as mapping and exploring historical and cultural sites were involved. It was here that Takadiwa recognized the opportunity not only for establishing studios and an exhibition space but also for fostering dialogue and revitalizing the community.
Transforming spaces
Beer halls were
established
by British colonial authorities in Zimbabwe (formerly)
Rhodesia
) as part of a strategy for socially controlling the African urban populace. These measures were intended to manage free time, limit political organization, and create income via alcohol sales. Through concentrating consumption in government-operated establishments, colonial authorities sought to oversee and confine African social activities while also benefiting economically.
Located within a converted colonial-era beer garden,
Mbare Art Space
transforms a previously segregated location into a bustling hub for artistry and community resurgence. This transformation reframes a history marked by limitations and authority into one defined by innovative liberty and self-empowerment. Today, this spot serves as an oasis for creatives featuring artist studios, workspaces, galleries, and a digital center.
Takadiwa’s vision draws from global examples, particularly influenced by US artist
Theaster Gates
, known for transforming an abandoned bank on Chicago’s South Side into something new.
Stony Island Arts Bank
– a hybrid space for art, archives and community engagement.
In 2019, Takadiwa launched Mbare Art Space with the aim of nurturing new talent via guidance and resource provision. Consistent with his creative ethos—breathing life back into discarded items marred by urban blight—he transformed an ignored location. Many of the artists based here emulate his approach, transforming scavenged materials into striking visuals that resonate with past narratives and future potential.
Upon my arrival, Takadiwa is just leaving, but he gives me a brief tour of his studio, showcasing the pieces currently in development for his forthcoming participation in the
São Paulo Biennale
are taking shape.
Renowned for his richly textured, intricately detailed sculptures and fabric-like compositions
works
Composed of reclaimed items such as computer keyboards, bottle caps, toothbrushes, and toothpaste tubes, Takadiwa has achieved global recognition. His creations have been acquired by notable figures including US rapper Jay-Z, as well as significant collections like the Centre National d’Art Plastique in Paris, the European Parliament’s art collection in Brussels, and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare.
Collaboration
What Takadiwa is creating extends beyond an art center; it’s a novel platform deeply anchored in tradition yet attuned to contemporary times. The location transforms into a continuous exhibition, brought to life through the involvement of artists, curators, and local residents who engage with it.
Tafadzwa Chimbumu, who oversees the operations, leads me around for the remainder of the tour. Despite retaining traces of its original brewery design, the area exudes renewed vitality. Vibrant paintings decorate the walls, while canopies covering smaller structures bring character to the visible masonry.
There are plans to set up a library here, which will serve as a hub for researchers and artists eager to explore Zimbabwe’s lesser-known art history. This rich historical content is currently dispersed among various archives and unprinted academic papers instead of being compiled into easily accessible publications. The intention is to gather all these resources in one place to make them readily available to everyone.
Mbare Art Space is increasingly emerging as a vibrant center for collaboration and learning. For instance, community workshops are conducted by local artists-in-residence. Additionally, nearby schools participate in various art education programs. By engaging in outreach efforts and offering educational activities, this space is amplifying its influence well beyond its direct vicinity.
Looking ahead, Mbare Art Space aims to grow its artist residency program, welcoming artists from both within and outside the country to delve into the environment of Mbare and Zimbabwe as a whole.
In the end, what space provides is something ethereal – a sensation, a recollection, an image of potential realized when history and creativity converge in a communal setting.
Tinashe Mushakavanhu
, Research Assistant, University of Oxford
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
