Mbare Art Space: From Colonial Beer Hall to Vibrant Arts Hub in Zimbabwe

May 31, 2025

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 rules 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 type. This has secured a distinctive spot in the country’s collective mindset.

Initially called Harare, Mbare’s name was changed to its current designation in 1982 when the title was transferred to the nation’s capital city. Throughout its rich history, it has been regarded as the pulse of African urban culture. Situated at its core is
Rufaro Stadium
, where
Bob Marley & The Wailers
notably showcased during Zimbabwe’s independence festivities.

The township was a center of 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 stand as symbols of the wider disregard for community facilities 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 art center revives the structure’s innate essence of coming together, innovation, and community involvement.

Operating under a lengthy lease from the Harare City Council, this non-profit endeavor forms an integral part of a broader initiative.
city regeneration and adaptable repurposing initiative
designed to reimagine 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 controlling the African urban populace socially. These measures were intended to manage free time, limit political organization, and create income via alcohol sales. Through the concentration of drinking activities in government-operated establishments, colonial authorities sought both to oversee and confine African social interactions while also benefiting economically from them.

Located within a converted colonial-era beer garden,
Mbare Art Space
transforms a previously segregated location into a bustling hub for art and community resurgence. This transformation shifts the narrative from one marked by restriction and control to one characterized by creative liberty and empowerment. Today, this spot serves as an artist sanctuary featuring studios, workspaces, an exhibition gallery, and a digital center.

Takadiwa’s vision draws from global examples, particularly influenced by American artist
Theaster Gates
, known for transforming a dilapidated bank on Chicago’s South Side into something new.
Stony Island Arts Bank
– a blended area designed for art, archival materials, and community interaction.

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 deterioration—he transformed an ignored location. Many of the artists who work here emulate his approach, repurposing scavenged materials into striking visuals that echo both past narratives and future potentials.

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 involvement in an exhibition.
São Paulo Biennale
are taking shape.

Famous for his richly textured, intricately detailed sculptures and fabric-like compositions
works
Created using reclaimed items such as computer keyboards, bottle caps, toothbrushes, and toothpaste tubes, Takadiwa has earned global recognition. His creations have been acquired by notable figures including US rapper Jay-Z, and significant organizations 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 goes beyond an art center; it’s a novel framework that draws from historical roots and adapts to contemporary needs. The location transforms into a continuous exhibit, brought to life through the involvement of artists, curators, and local residents who engage with it.

Tafadzwa Chimbumu, who oversees the operations, steps in to lead the tour, taking me around the remaining area. Despite keeping traces of its original brewery design, the place exudes renewed vitality. Vibrant paintings decorate the walls, while canopies covering smaller structures bring energy to the visible masonry.

There are plans to set up a library here, which will serve as a hub for researchers and artists interested in exploring Zimbabwe’s less documented art history. This rich historical material is currently dispersed among various archives and unpublished academic papers instead of being compiled into readily available publications. The intention behind this initiative is to gather all these resources in one place so they become more easily accessible to everyone.

The Mbare Art Space is increasingly emerging as a vibrant center for collaboration and learning. For instance, local community workshops are conducted by resident artists. Additionally, nearby schools engage in various art education programs. By means of outreach efforts and educational activities, this space aims to broaden its influence beyond its current location.

Looking ahead, Mbare Art Space aims to grow its artist-in-residence program, welcoming both local and international artists to delve into the environment of Mbare and Zimbabwe as a whole.

In essence, what space provides is something ethereal – a sensation, a recollection, an image of what can be achieved when past and creativity converge in a common setting.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).

Article Categories:
africa · art · artwork · community · culture

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