BY SHARON SIBINDI
BULAWAYO visual artist Kudakwashe Musingarabwi has made artwork inspired by the COVID-19-induced lockdown.
Part of his paintings include Patrol the Bulawayo Central Business District and Social Distancing.
“The daily clashes reported by the media between the police and public, and the recent increasing number of arrests for ‘breach’ of COVID-19 regulations inspired my artwork,” he said.
“My paintings are based on the police and the soldiers because all governments use them to enforce and monitor different regulations. With COVID-19 pandemic, police are on patrol in towns and entry points to the town.”
Musingarabwi said his paintings were based on a thematic story which narrated a situation which happened in the previous lockdown.
“The Social Distancing piece is a painting that reflects on human behaviour over time. As Aristotle the Greek philosopher said: ‘Man is by nature a social animal …’, that means man cannot live alone, he has to enter into relationships with his fellowmen to live a life,” he said.
“Therefore, when men are called upon to engage in ‘social distancing’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not his nature to do so.”
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“If distancing then seems hard, it is not just you, it is human nature. Police engagement shows how hard it is to break the shackles of mutual dependence. Police are mere agents trying to enforce COVID-19 safety regulations.”
Added Musingarabwi: “Another piece of art is about police surveillance and harassment as a boy is sent back home carrying a bike.
“A little boy rides in the neighbourhood. Stolen childhood is a reflection on the changed rules of socialisation and playtime for children because of coronavirus. Play centres have closed and children appreciate anything that gets them out of the house.”
- Follow Sharon on Twitter @SibindiSharon
