A SOLO REPRESANTATION BY MERCY MOYO
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is pleased to present Chinotanga Mutsara, an exhibition of paintings,drawings and prints by Mercy Moyo. Mercy Moyo contributes to the ongoing dialogue aboutidentity, community, and shared
experiences. Throughout her artistic journey. Mercy Moyo has consistently employed a visual vocabulary composed of motifs that resonate universally. These motifs-almost like recognisable signs-depict everyday scenes: women laughing, resting, conversing, braiding each other’s hair, and engaging in various activities. Her work reflects the lives, stories, and resilience of she encounters. Inspired by the communities she has lived in, Moyo’s lush brushstrokes, paper collages, and evocative linework create moments of suspended joy. It starts with deliberate and
precise line work. Each stroke carries intention, whether defining a figure’s contours or suggesting movement. Her lines convey emotion, energy, and narrative. Whether she’s depicting a woman braiding hair or capturing a moment
of laughter, the lines become conduits for storytelling. There’s a rhythmic quality to Moyo’s line work. It flows seamlessly across the canvas, connecting disparateelements. The fluidity of her lines mirrors the interconnectedness
of human experiences. It’s as if the lines themselves are engaged in conversation. Moyo strikes a delicate balance between intricate detail and simplicity. Her lines capture essential features without overwhelming the viewer. This balance allows viewers to engage with the work at different levels- zooming in to appreciate fine details or stepping back to see the overall composition. Moyo’s line work weaves narratives. It’s not just about form; it’s about the stories behind the figures. Whether she’s delineating laughter lines or the curve of a shoulder, each mark contributes to a larger narrative of shared humanity. By celebrating the ordinary and the familiar, she elevates the everyday into something extraordinary. As viewers stand before her works, they are invited to explore the strangely familiar and the boundless possibilities these figures embody. Central to Mercy Moyo’s artistic practice is a remarkable fusion of
figurative, painterly work to come out of Zimbabwe in recent years -a true testament to Zimbabwe’s Contemporary art scene.
Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa
Harare, July 2024
