‘Chirombo’s artwork is the place/space where the spirits can evidently be felt in the atmosphere of matter.’

Mathias Chirombo was born in Zimbabwe and is of Shona culture. His work is spiritually influenced by spirit mediumship and customs. He seeks to explore this through dreams which are a rich source of inspiration for his art making, using spirituality and emotions to direct him in the search for meaning and guidance. The spirit world is identified as existing intangibly and only the effects it has on matter reflect its presence where it may be seen by some as most of utmost importance.

His process of transforming an empty space or landscape into a space that is occupied by spiritual forces from nature and the ability to combine the physical and spiritual to make one piece of sculpture or painting turns the work itself into a sacred work/object. The artwork is the space/place where the spirits can evidently be felt in the atmosphere of matter.

His aim is to reflect the movement and presence of the spirit world in the hopes that people will find peace, calmness and healing from their interaction with the work. The work has a longing for individuals to re-evaluate their own ways of seeing themselves and the connection to their natural surroundings on and off this planet.

EDUCATION

2015 – MFA (Anthropology), Rhodes University

2010 – BFA (Painting), Rhodes University

2005 – National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2017 « Expo Theole » France, Undiscovered Canvas.

2016 « I can feel them, but I can’t see them » France, Undiscovered Canvas.

2015 ‘The Art State’, Galerie NOKO, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

2014 -15“Sacred Spaces”, Ism Skism Gallery, Clarens, Free State, SA (Solo)

2014“Dreaming With Open Eyes”, Albany Museum, Grahamstown, SA (Group);

2013“Sacred Spaces”, Museum Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa (Solo); Curator“Rising of the Ancestors!”,Albany Science Museum, National Arts Festival   Grahamstown (Solo)“Sacred Spaces”,Templars Interior, Hyde Park, Johannesburg, South Africa. (Solo)

2012 Building Bridges, Gallery Guichard, Chicago, USA (Group)2012Standard Bank, Grahamstown National Arts Festival exhibition, Grahamstown, South Africa (Solo)Absa KKNK exhibition, Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa (Solo)The ART Business Contemporary Gallery, Western Cape (Group)

2011 COP17 Climate Train art project, Cape Town to Durban, South Africa (National project)Standard Bank Grahamstown National Arts Festival exhibition, Grahamstown, South Africa (Solo)

2010 Standard Bank Grahamstown National Arts Festival exhibition, Grahamstown, South Africa (Group)2009Standard Bank Grahamstown National Arts Festival exhibition, Grahamstown, South Africa (Group)