No offence intended…
And none taken.
By Nyadzombe Nyampenza
Things happen that are never declared openly. People discuss such matters in fear of confrontation and fall out. Only a go-between has the privilege and immunity to broach the subject. For the New Signatures exhibition Kundai Nathan takes up the mantle — and names things!
Kundais’ work is a mixed media installation with found toilet seats. Four broken porcelain bowls are tied with long plaited ropes of different colors. In chiShona the title of the work Imba Hombe (The Big House) is a euphemism for the toilet. Imba is a common metaphor used to represent clan, organization, or country. A typical audience reaction to the piece is shock and laughter. Similar to the reaction of people at a gathering, when a go-between playfully calls out the family’s dirty secret. Coming from the wrong person this would cause a brawl, and start a feud.
How does a go-between reveal unsavory truths without causing grief? It takes daring, and a cheeky sense of humor. Kundai Nathan pulls it off with spades of confidence.
[Imba Hombe (The Big House) — Kundai Nathan, is in the exhibition New Signatures, curated by Valerie Sithole, at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare.]
