National Gallery hosts fourth cotton exhibition

October 21, 2008 by National Gallery ·
Filed under: Art life

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is proud to be hosting the fourth Cotton Exhibition on the 10th of October 2008. The show of 72 paintings, sculptures and textiles running under the theme ‘Strength and Complexity’ serves to bring out the fine qualities of cotton as a manmade fibre which has become of paramount importance in the clothing and design industries.

The Executive Director of the National Gallery, Mrs. Doreen Sibanda says, “The exhibition increases the arena in which artists can display their work in open competition and has a focus on the power, durability and strength of cotton as a product”.

This year’s Cottco Fine Art, Craft and Textiles exhibition sought to avoid a superficial look at cotton, choosing instead to encourage artists to come up with ideas that characterize it as an age-old fibre whose influence has managed to grow from strength to strength throughout time. Imaginative, rich in character and unique in their designs, the works on the show are a direct complement to the efforts and achievements of the visual artists of Zimbabwe .

The Cotton exhibition sets standards to which young artists can aspire and uses a wide diversity of creative techniques to present stories about the cotton product itself, the use of the product in our daily lives as well as the contribution of the product to economic development and the arts. On exhibition are the works of craft artists, painters, sculptors, textile artists and print makers. Three winners have been chosen in each category of sculpture, painting and textiles and an overall winner has been selected.

The versatility of cotton means it can be used for many purposes and this has enhanced the public’s perception of its very importance. The social responsibility programme of Cotton Company of Zimbabwe has also seen them become the principal sponsor of the Cottco Schools Rugby festival which means that the Company is making a meaningful contribution both in the arts and sporting fields. This exhibition has attracted many leading artists from all parts of the country because cotton is a medium that needs no introduction as artists themselves since time immemorial have used it.

Judges of the competition have encouraged mature artists to participate in forthcoming Cottco exhibitions. They have also suggested that in future years the artists should be further supported through the provision of workshops, more information and reference materials in order to provide more challenges. This will be an interesting, educative and provoking exhibition that shows the different uses of cotton as a manmade fibre and product. The Cottco F.A.C.T. exhibition is sure to reach every artist and art enthusiast in Zimbabwe , as it will travel to the Bulawayo and Mutare Galleries.

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