Zimbabwean artist Owen Maseko’s paintings have been taken down while on display at the National Gallery in Bulawayo.
Maseko, who has had his previous works subjected to state censorship, was exhibiting as part of the “Slindelele Umalaytsha” exhibition.
Maseko was forced to take down his instalments just before the elections as they judged them to be political.
“I did that, and when everything seemed fine, on 28 September, which was the official opening of our exhibition they ordered me to remove my paintings again.”
He tried to engage the gallery staff resulting in a stand-off which lasted for an hour.
“The audience already had expectations and suspense and people started asking questions and all sorts of things, so eventually everyone who was in the gallery knew what was happening.
“Eventually they decided to open our exhibition but we were only given about five minutes to open up the exhibition and sort it out. Soon after the opening ended they closed and took down the painting.”
He said that the exhibition is still ongoing without his paintings.
“Even if they were taking down my exhibition they were supposed to give me a letter justifying the reasons why they are doing that but unfortunately to them It seems like it’s a personal thing against not any other artist at the gallery, so they did it unofficially. They didn’t notify me why or who is actually sponsoring me, is it Harare or Bulawayo or the reasons why they are taking it down.”
National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo regional director Silenkosi Moyo declined to comment.
In March 210, Maseko had his exhibition titled ‘Sibathontisele’ (Lets Drip on Them) consisting of three installations and twelve wall paintings shut down by state authorities.
Maseko together with the director of the art gallery, Vote Thebe, were arrested by police.
He was charged with undermining the authority of, or insulting the president and causing offence to persons of a particular race or religion.
The exhibition was only taken down five years later following a Supreme Court order.
