Zimbabwean Artist Option Nyahunzvi Explores Cultural Values in a Bold New Exhibition

March 18, 2026

Zimbabwean artist Option Dzikamai Nyahunzvi has opened a solo exhibition called "Zvatiri" (Who We Are) at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, exploring the cultural concept of hunhu/ubuntu and Shona identity. The multidisciplinary show combines paintings using unique layering techniques, installations with culturally significant materials, and live performance art where the artist embodies a spirit medium connecting past and present. Through his signature black and white zebra motifs representing his clan totem and the incorporation of traditional sacred objects, Nyahunzvi encourages Zimbabweans to reconnect with their cultural heritage and everyday traditions.

Who is affected

Zimbabweans, particularly those of Shona heritage
Southern African communities who share hunhu/ubuntu cultural values
Zimbabwean families dispersed due to migration in search of jobs
Young people who lack access to elders for cultural guidance
Visitors and audiences at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe
Artist Option Dzikamai Nyahunzvi (born 1992)

What action is being taken

The exhibition "Zvatiri" is currently on display at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe
Nyahunzvi is creating paintings using a unique technique of pasting Fabriano paper onto canvas and cutting into layers
The artist is sharing Shona culture, stories, and traditions with audiences through the exhibition
Traditional instruments (midziyo) are installed in the gallery as part of the ongoing exhibition

Why it matters

This exhibition addresses the erosion of traditional Zimbabwean values in an increasingly globalized and digitized world where families are scattered due to economic migration and elders are no longer present to transmit cultural wisdom. By celebrating the "ordinary" everyday rituals and traditions of Shona culture, Nyahunzvi provides an opportunity for cultural reconnection and identity reclamation. The show also represents an act of decolonization by reclaiming a former British colonial building (once unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II) as a space for indigenous cultural expression, allowing Zimbabweans to control their own narratives rather than being defined by external perspectives.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint