Tendai Makufa
Humanity and the earth that is the basement, that is the hand. © T. Makufa 1
Untitled by Tendai Makufa Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 1
Today I want to introduce you to a new artist I have discovered. His name is Tendai Makufa, born in Zimbabwe (1979) but now lives in Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa. 2
Trendai Makufa trained for 4 years studying in the B.A.T. Workshop at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe which became the National Gallery School of Visual Art and Design in 2012.
Tendai paints his people, at work in the fields: vibrant collages of colour and movement.
Tendai Makufa grew up in a small village near Masvingo, close to the Mozambique border. He explains: Good things are grown and cotton that flies in the sky like these flakes from cold countries and that name is useless. Tendai is a wise child who loves drawing on earth, leaf, wrapping things, with pencils and charcoal, with ballpoint pens, which is rare all the same, and makes traits high accuracy... © T. Makufa 1
Great Africa by Tendai Makufa 2020. Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 120x126cm 3
This painting conveys the message: Hope, unity faith and patience - together we will get the best results in life ... after many years working together as a team, no rain ... let's work ... until one day the best results comes - harvesting great bumper harvest - which they could not believe. © T. Makufa 3
Tendai continues his story:
...He will leave Masvingo for Harare capital. A man of God, Brain Mupoperi, brought me to the National Gallery and helped me sign up. At this time already, as today, the memories of the village continue to live in it. It's not just the place, but what lives in it. Women in fields, cotton flowers flying, intense light that makes work look like a stained glass. © T. Makufa 1
Bumper Harvest by Tendai Makufa 2019 Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 120x120cm 2
Tendai goes on to explain that:
Three years ago, Tendai was exposed in a Michigan gallery, near Chicago. The paintings have a lot of interest to visitors who found some traits of the scenes of the old South. Women curved on the field, the song that goes up, absolute light, blind confidence in a better world. It is this humanity that gives its color to Makufa's work. Humanity and the earth that is the basement, that is the hand. © T. Makufa 1
What a Day by Tendai Makufa 2019 Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 120x126cm 2
I would classify Tendai Makufa as a genre artist as he is painting scenes of everyday rural life in Africa in the manner of Diego Rivera in Mexico and BenCab in the Philippines. Though the styles are very different the passion to record their people at work is very similar.
Great Year (What a Day) by Tendai Makufa 2019 Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 120x126cm 2
Thank you. Great harvest after many years of working but because of unity among them they manage to harvest "giant" carrots they could not hold in their hands. © T. Makufa 3
Waiting by Tendai Makufa 2021 Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 120x126cm 3
They went to the field ... to their shock they found the harvest “which they could not expect...they decide to wait for the transports which you might think -it take long - but the truth is - they are tired. © T. Makufa 3
Somewhere in Africa by Tendai Makufa 2019 Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 120x126cm 2
It was a great day of harvesting groundnuts ... everyone is smiling, thanking our mighty God. © T. Makufa 3
The message that dominates the paintings by Tendai is that: if we work together we can get the job done - whatever it might be.
Unity of Purpose by Tendai Makufa 2020 Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 120x126cm 3
Tendai explains further:
After a great harvest and before they share or distribute to the market - they hold hands and thank God for the unity which led to the bumper harvest they manage to get. So with uninty we can go far. let's hold hands together... we will win © T. Makufa 3
Untitled by Tendai Makufa Acrylic decorative paint on canvas 1
If you are interested in learning more about Tendai Makufa please check out the video below. It is an interview with the artist and although quite long does give an insight into his passion for painting.
© All images shown here are done so with the permission of Tendai Makufa.
Credits
1. facebook.com
2. khalilcoart.com
3. onlinegallery.art