one of fifteen variations of a colourful, hand-finished print

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami

Kudzi (Hand-finished)

€8,000

Artwork

Edition of 1557.1 (W) × 70.0 (D) cmShipping est. 2 weeksHand-finished

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In tender collaged canvases, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami abstracts the contexts of her friends and family – an allegory for identities displaced, or otherwise fragmented.

Kudzi started as a digital collage of the artist’s cousin. Printed, painted on and then faithfully recreated in 17 silkscreen layers. Glossy swathes of colour obscure a halftone-modulated, monochromatic underprint. These innovative techniques – born of close collaboration with artisan printmakers in London – echo the rich, multimedia surfaces of Hwami’s original paintings.

As a final step in this experimental process, 15 prints returned to the artist’s studio in London for unique hand-finishing in oil paint and charcoal.

“Here stands a shy, joyous Zimbabwean young man free from realities facing LGBTQ people in Southern Africa.”

The artwork encompasses a collaboration between Hwami, Avant Arte and Queercircle. From September 15, Kudzi will be installed in Queercircle’s reading room alongside a curated selection of literature. Visit the accompanying journal to learn more, and for the chance win an artist’s proof!

Behind the scenes

00:19

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami2 collaborationsKudzanai-Violet Hwami paints colourful portraits full of energy and life. She draws from her experiences living between multiple places – Zimbabwe, South Africa and the UK. Family photographs and found images tend to be her starting point. Hwami then paints these into abstract backdrops and domestic scenes. Crucially, she separates the figures from their original context – a symbol of displacement. Finally, splashes of saturated colour are added over the top. The finished paintings are almost patchwork. Individuals, objects and pools of pigment layer on top of each other. Just like the disparate memories and experiences they represent.

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The framing was beautiful and it was the best packaged art piece I have ever received.
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The print is beautifully made, and I love it.
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I absolutely love the textured details. The picture literally pops off the canvas and the floating frame encompasses those details perfectly. Amazing job by Jake Fried and the Avant Arte team! I'm excited for my next purchase.
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