Page 11 - Auction Lots 2023

ARTWORK

BY RICHIE MADYIRA

Lot no. 02
donated by
the artist Title: Kumafaro (Happy Place)
Size: 180 x 130cm
Medium: Oil on canvas

Born in Harare in 1989, Richie Madyira studied at the National
Gallery of Zimbabwe Visual Arts Studio, where he graduated in 2007
with a Diploma in Fine Arts.

In Madyira’s recollection of childhood, he recalls how conflicts would
arise in his family due to religious disputes against traditional rituals.
This has affected his perception of faith and religion and is often
emphasised in his artworks. The colour selections in Madyira’s works
don’t fully represent the real world, but are surprising and often
juxtaposed in order to form an ironic harmony. These ‘undecided’
colours are often used to depict the internal conflict one encounters
when practicing religion without self-evaluation and purpose.

Madyira’s paintings are predominantly figurative, character studies
rather than portraits: his figures and subjects appearing against
imaginary, idealised and brightly coloured backgrounds. His work is
rooted in his lived experience. He tackles themes such as the living
conditions in the poorest communities, the hardships he experienced
as a child, and subsequently as an immigrant in South Africa, in his
visual storytelling.

Madyira currently resides in Cape Town where he works as a full-
time artist.
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