|
Cynthia Zukas : The Voice Of The Voiceless.
By
Roy Kausa
Opening at Twaya Art-Zambia gallery, Hotel Intercontinental Lusaka
this month is an art exhibition entitled, ‘Forty Years’
Impressions Of Zambia’ by Cynthia Zukas.
Like
an African story teller, Cynthia’s prints and paintings reveal the
life experiences of people of Zambia. The 76 year old artist also
highlights some of the economic, social and cultural aspects of
Zambia that she has observed over the last four decades.
Cynthia brings forth the hardships and the struggle to survive by
the people of the country, especially the women and the children.
However, she does not only delve into the social and economic
affliction of the people, but also enjoys life in Zambia in its
totality.
Cynthia and her Zambian husband, veteran politician and prominent
Lusaka Engineer, Simon arrived in the newly independent Zambia in
1965. Her work is greatly inspired by the Zambian weather, the
landscape, the warm hospitality of the people, the beauty and the
dignity of the Zambian women.
 This
exhibition is a good example of how experienced and trained artists
take years to prepare for solo art exhibition. Her last exhibition
was in February 2001, unlike the trend these days among amateur
artists in Lusaka, some of whom exhibit their work every other
month. The’40 Years’ Impressions Of Zambia’ exhibition
is a collection of prints and paintings, chronologically arranged to
let the viewers appreciate the history and the life of the Zambian
people in general, and Lusaka in particular.
For
example, the display includes some sketches of everyday life in
Lusaka when Cynthia first arrived in the country. Most of the
sketches on the exhibition were done during the period between
1965and 1985.
“In
those days this town was a friendly place with very little crime, so
it was easy for me to go out with my sketch book and record everyday
life,” she recalls.
This
exhibition will also bring back memories for those who were around
in the mid-seventies, who remember the food shortages, lack of
adequate public transport and when queuing for almost all essential
commodities was the order of the day.
Cynthia was born in Cape Town in 1931 where she obtained a degree in
Fine Art at Cape Town University. Apart from art, Cynthia has
pursued other interests such as philosophy, English literature,
classical music and politics.
“There were many liberal and left wing societies at the University
and very lively debates on the best way to end Apartheid. I became a
communist and I was convinced it was the way to eradicate racial
prejudice all over the world, and especially in South Africa. I
campaigned for the African National Congress, during the Defiance
Campaign and got into trouble with police.” Cynthia remembers.
In
the meantime Cynthia still paints and prints, although now she
spends much of her time running the affairs of Lechwe Trust of which
she is the chairperson. Lechwe Trust is a charitable organisation
which was founded in 1986 to promote and support the development of
the visual arts in Zambia. Cynthia was also, for many years, a
member of the National Museums Board and the National Arts Council.
The
’Forty Years’ Impressions Of Zambia’ exhibition is a good
example of the role art plays in recording the history of this
country, especially in the absence of a national gallery and
professionally established national art museums in Zambia. Cynthia
Zukas is indeed a voice for the voiceless
This
exhibition is curated by William Bwalya Miko and is being hosted by
Twaya Art-Zambia Gallery with the courtesy of the Hotel
Intercontinental in Lusaka. The exhibition opens to the public on 22
May and ends on 3 June. Entrance is FREE.
|
May
2007