Ashley Dean Misho | Arts and Entertainment Reporter
A resident artist at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Nonhlanhla Mathe has transcended her beginnings in traditional Batik to develop a unique, textured voice that demands attention both locally and on the international stage.
Batik painting refers to a wax-resist dyeing technique used to create intricate patterns on fabrics and other surfaces by applying hot wax to areas that should not be dyed, then dipping the material in dye.
Mathe’s journey is one of constant evolution. Starting as a Batik artist, she refused to be confined by the medium’s conventions.
Through years of experimentation on fabric, she pioneered a distinctive method she calls “Batik painting.”
This technique allows her to create abstract and semi-abstract works brimming with rich texture and a explosive, colourful finish, setting her work apart in Zimbabwe’s vibrant art scene.
This powerful expression has resonated far beyond the walls of her Bulawayo studio.
Mathe’s artistic resume is a map of international recognition.
She has held a solo exhibition at the National Gallery in Bulawayo and has been featured in group exhibitions from Harare to Gaborone, Botswana; from the Casa de’ Cultura in Beira, Mozambique, to The Dancing Fish Gallery in South Africa.
Her work has even found a home at Crista’s Fine Tribal Modern Art gallery in Copenhagen, Denmark. She also showcased her talent at the prestigious Essence Festival in Durban in 2016.
Her impact is also felt at home through education. Committed to nurturing the next generation, Mathe mentors high school and tertiary students on their artistic projects, ensuring her knowledge and passion for advocacy through art is passed on.
This dedication has not gone unnoticed, Mathe’s excellence has been honoured with an Award of Merit in a heritage exhibition and a Best Female Artist award in a VAAB (Visual Arts Association of Bulawayo) exhibition. She has also received a nomination for a National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) in the outstanding exhibition category, a significant accolade in Zimbabwean arts.
Today, as a current resident artist at the National Gallery in Bulawayo, Nonhlanhla Mathe stands as a testament to innovation and resilience. Each piece of fabric she transforms is more than a painting; it is a textured, colourful, and unflinching testament to the strength, struggles, and spirit of African women, ensuring their stories are seen, heard, and celebrated.
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