Through the creative mind of Kudzanai.

Born in Zimbabwe Kudzanai spent most of her upbringing both young and old in South Africa and the UK. A centre point in African contemporary art her work looks at ideas of migration, memory and the liquid essence of ones personal and cultural history. Her pieces relate to audiences on a global scale offering multiplex perspectives of African identity when it comes to a diasporic view. 

Blending personal history and the world of imagination, themes and narratives regarding the complexities of balancing multiple identities are explored through Hwami's work. Her experience in living in both Africa and Europe decorates her work as seen through the layered structure of a lot of her pieces blending both Zimbabwean cultural accessory with Western creative culture. Photography and digital media is often combined leading to a collage-like appearance of a lot of Hwami's pieces- a possible take on the multiple elements which build the nature of identity. Afro-punk culture decorates her work seen by her liberal use of colour and often times the structures of her figures.

Ideas of body and self often decorate Kudzanai's work with the figures she builds often reassessing conventional approaches to gender identity. Her work explores the idea of the politicisation of the Black body through looking and investigating how it tends to be represented and perceived in media forms. Her 2019 series which was shown at the Zimbabwean Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, explored this same idea presenting a series of portraits, in a way inspired by herself, which all stood showcasing an aura of complete self-control in the way they were structured; being both bold and vulnerable. A response to the historic and often opposite composition of the Black body that has been seen in the art world. Nudity was also a large aspect of Hwami's work in her exploration of LGBTQ+ culture on the continent, capturing the body as is exploring similar themes of how that is perceived and appreciated by the audience.

Digital manipulation is an aspect found in a lot of Kudzanai Violet Hwami's work, with vibrant colours also being signature to her pieces. The exploration of the complex journeys and transformation of Southern African life, as shaped by history and cultural fusion, allows Hwami's art to be in a sense a representation of a modern ''Odyssey". Through her layered understanding of Southern African identity Hwami presents the often joyous but sometimes difficult voyage of discovery. 

"Here stands a shy, joyous Zimbabwean young man free from realities facing LGBTQ people in Southern Africa." - Kudzanai in describing the piece 'Kudzi'.

Kudzanai Violet Hwami's blending of both traditional element and modern technique stunningly captures the idea of navigating through modern life whilst still attempting to keep aspects of foundational culture and tradition. Her odyssey is both personal and general resonating with African youth globally.