Visual and craft art: The least appreciated domains

In many developing countries art as a career discipline is not taken seriously yet it plays an important role in economic development through attracting foreign tourists.

In Zimbabwe, art contributes a significant 20 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency culture survey report 2012.

Training institutions such as Harare Polytechnic, Bulawayo Polytechnic, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe College of Music and Midlands State University have churned out many artists who are renowned internationally but little known in Zimbabwe.

Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture permanent secretary, Dr. Thokozile Chitepo agrees that art is an ignored occupation yet it contributes immensely to the development of the economy.

“Not only does art contribute to economic development but it is important also in nation building and shaping our culture.

“Beautifully crafted artworks carry important messages in them which speak to our way of life and history.

“Art plays an important role in the livelihoods of people as many artistic expressions that we see whether it is a social idiom, music, writing, painting or poetry, tell a Zimbabwean story more so to foreigners who buy them,” said Dr Chitepo.

Zimbabwean artistes are recognised internationally, yet locally they remain relatively unknown.

 “As a new ministry, our task is to promote the development of the sector in integrating the people of Zimbabwe and to spread the idea that the art industry in all its forms is important for the development of the country,” said Dr Chitepo.

Art has been leading in re-branding the country through the creation of a positive image, and telling the story of Zimbabwe through festivals such as Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA).

These gatherings attract large groups of people including local art connoisseurs and international art consumers and collectors.

Local artists however, believe that not all forms of art in Zimbabwe are given due attention and appreciation.

Visual arts and crafts have been identified as being among the least appreciated domains. 

Zimbabwe National Art Gallery curator, Raphael Chikukwa said the major consumers of the country’s artefacts are foreign nationals, because; locals see the industry as an extra-curricular activity.

“Art pieces are mainly sold to foreign nationals who frequent the Art Gallery from time to time, especially during HIFA festivals when many tourists visit the country,” said Chikukwa.

UNESCO defines crafts, or artisanal products, as “those produced by artisans, either completely by hand or with the help of hand-tools or even mechanical means, as long as the direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial component of the finished product.”

It takes great courage for artworks to be produced and so much time and money is invested by people who have a burning passion for the career.

Some of the records of past events in our modern libraries owe their existence to artefacts that were dug from the ground by archaeologists, yet the discipline is not prioritised in our educational curricular.

Not only do the public have a negative perception about visual arts and crafts, but parents have contributed to this negative perception through influencing career choices for their children.

As a result, many people are stuck in careers which they do not like and this is affecting their performance and causes a lot of stress in their lives.

On the other hand, parents feel that they are being unfairly judged as they cannot allow their children to pursue a blunt career.

“There are no prospects of a good future in art,”

 “I cannot allow my children to do art because it will lead him or her nowhere in this country unless they relocate to developed nations where art is taken seriously,” said Mrs Ellis Kanenungo a parent from Kuwadzana.

Art is done mainly at primary and secondary levels. Only a few people pursue the career at polytechnics and universities due to lack of public support and negative perceptions attached to it.

Nevertheless, government is making efforts at correcting this misconception.

Addressing delegates at the Tertiary Institution Festival of Arts (TIFAZ) held in Bulawayo last year, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Washington Mbizvo emphasised the importance of the arts industry in nation building.

“Art is important in building blocks of identity, inspires collective action and debunks the notion that it is a profession for the less intellectual,” he said.