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

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami

Kudzi (Hand-finished)

€8,000

Edition of 15

Hand-finished

Shipping within 2 weeks

Only a few left

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 Hwami

2 collaborations

Kudzanai-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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Reviews from Avant collectors

thank you for the breath of life you bring the art community, you are the poet laureate's of packaging and one day gods will sing your praises. i am in heaven with this purchase!
Review of Descendent - Lucid Dreamer
Luv, luv, luv! Simple and clean complexity! A genuine piece of Art to love and admire...daily!
Review of Descendent - Lucid Dreamer
The highest quality and most innovative print I've ever seen. Amazing!
Review of Portrait of Francis Bacon
very happy with the artwork and service from Avante arte
Review of Guardian
incredibly smooth international transaction! The best of the best and look forward to future purchases together
Review of Prismatic Head Composition
Incredible piece, well packaged, everything was A+++.
Review of Snow Lotus No. 1
I think your service excellent. Sufficient information throughout the process, not too many emails, thank you. Wrapping 5stars. And the print is superb! Fulfills my little dreamsof owning some art and supporting arti/artists that deserve it.
Review of Dissipate
Gorgeous quality and print. Thank you!
Review of Shelter

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