TENDAI MUPITAFRACTALITIES

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TENDAI MUPITA - FRACTALITIES

Scientific process historically is often divorced from traditional knowledge and cultural practices. Yet scientific discoveries have consistently confirmed the wisdom of our ancestors and the sophistication practices deemed primitive. Viewed as a cultural process then, scientific research can be studied as a means of redressing damage caused by racially biased views of traditional cultures around the world, which has supported colonialisation and suppression of ancient learning and which continues to affect views of traditional practices in some post-colonial cultures. This process of decolonising science, culture and learning is difficult but most important for survival of humanity as much as anything else because some of these ancient practices may hold the key to understanding nature and our place in it. Among some of the most interesting developments in understanding African ancient scientific achievements has been the discovery of the extensive traditional use of fractals in most cultures across the continent. Fractals, a mathematical concept in which similar patterns recur at progressively smaller scales, and which is used in describing partly random or chaotic phenomena such as crystal growth, snowflakes and galaxy formation as well as supporting developments in modern computing. Interestingly fractals are a distinctive unique feature of designs in many African cultures utilised in everything from village planning to basket weaving, producing an infinite variety of non-repeating yet regular designs. This is a totally different paradigm to that of other cultures, most of which utilise simple symmetry in their patterns and designs. Several years ago, Mupita began exploring the idea of fractals and the idea of scaling patterns as both important aesthetically but also spiritually to his idea of being a contemporary African and Zimbabwean. The works in Fractalities emerge from a place of deep regard for the mystical and spiritual origin of patterns, as the source of traditional knowledge, with a consciousness of it implicit and explicit relevance to contemporary life. This earnest immersion in tradition, created a body of work replete with seductive endless complexity, which is unapologetically delightful, enticing and sophisticated. Fractality speaks to and reminds us of the very necessary and important synergies between the contemporary and the traditional and the joy they can bring, if we are open to it.

Valerie KabovCurator

TENDAI MUPITABorn: 1990, Harare, ZimbabweLives and works in Harare, Zimbabwe

Education: 2015 Bachelor Chinhoyi University of Technology, Fine Arts In addition to his degree studies, Mupita, trained with leading master printmakers in Johannesburg, such as David Krut and Artist Proof Studio, where he worked as an assistant to a resident artist Senzo Shabangu, Godfried Donkor, Marina Walsh and Endale Desalegn. He acquired extensive skills in etching, mototypes, linocutting and colliography as well as numerous other techniques. As a result, work with and on paper as well as printmaking have been a dominant feature of Mupita’s practice and its evolution for the past several years. In 2014 Mupita began researching fractals and in particular their relationship to both nature and African traditional cultural practices from basketweaving to architecture and found a rich thematic field, which created a wealth of synergies with his interest in working with paper-based techniques. In 2016 Mupita was awarded a residency with The Bag Factory in Johannesburg. Mupita is represented by First Floor Gallery Harare.

Fractality 1, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

120cm x 76cm

Fractality 2, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

120cm x 76cm

Fractality 3, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

120cm x 76cm

Fractality 4, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

48cm x 50cm

Fractality 5, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

48cm x 50cm

Fractality 6, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

88cm x 76cm

Fractality 7, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

43cm x 35cm

Fractality 8, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

46cm x 35cm

Fractality 9, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

28cm x 44cm

Fractality 10, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

28cm x 26cm

Fractality 11-13, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

22cm x 28cm(each)

Fractality 14, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

40cm x 33cm

Fractality 15, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

44cm x 35cm

Fractality 16, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

148cm x 114cm

Fractality 17, 2016Lino Cut and Pen on Fabriano Paper

44cm x 37cm

31 Lyric Heights149 Samora Machel

HarareZimbabwe

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