The National Gallery of Zimbabwe proudly presents Wycliffe Mundopa: Ibwe Rakaraswa Nemuvaki, an evocative exhibition that challenges perceptions of value, identity, and exclusion. Through a compelling body of work, Mundopa reimagines forgotten histories and marginalized narratives, shedding light on the forces that erase, discard, and ultimately shape societies. His paintings explore themes of displacement, liminality, and revaluation, confronting traditional ideas of worth and cultural significance. By using painting both symbolically and materially, Mundopa creates a powerful dialogue about reclaiming lost narratives and recognizing the hidden potential in what society deems disposable.
The title Ibwe Rakaraswa Nemuvaki draws inspiration from the biblical allegory of the rejected stone, a metaphor for individuals, cultures, and histories cast aside by dominant systems. The exhibition critiques the deliberate erasure of cultural, social, and political identities, particularly those of marginalized communities, indigenous traditions, and minority voices. These histories, often excluded from mainstream narratives, are reclaimed and given space to be seen, heard, and reasserted.
Central to the exhibition is the stone, a symbol carrying deep significance across cultures. It represents both endurance and fragility, resilience and abandonment, mirroring the experiences of those pushed to the margins of society. Mundopa’s work challenges viewers to reflect on social exclusion, economic disparity, and systemic neglect while highlighting the potential for transformation, resistance, and renewal. The builder in the exhibition’s title is a metaphor for those in positions of power—governments, institutions, and systems that determine what is valuable and what is discarded. Yet, the rejected stone holds the potential for reconstruction, signifying hope and reinvention for those who have been excluded.
Beyond themes of rejection, Ibwe Rakaraswa Nemuvaki explores healing, redemption, and the transformative power of art. Mundopa’s paintings demonstrate that what is abandoned can be reimagined, reshaped, and reintegrated, offering new pathways for cultural and social evolution. The exhibition is a profound statement on resilience, reclamation, and the unseen forces that shape our world.
Experience Wycliffe Mundopa’s groundbreaking exhibition at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and explore the intersection of art, history, and identity. Ibwe Rakaraswa Nemuvaki is more than an exhibition—it is a powerful exploration of resilience, transformation, and the enduring significance of the discarded. 📍 National Gallery of Zimbabwe | Don’t miss this transformative exhibition!
