Online Reporter
Valerie Mupundu
PENCIL artist-cum art and design tutor, Noreen Nhemachena, has urged women to take their space in the arts sector.
Nhemachena, who is currently working at George Emmanuel International School in Harare, hopes to establish an art hub of her own in her hometown of Mutare where she seeks to empower empower women through art.
In an interview with The Herald Arts, Nhemachena encouraged women to participate more and level the artistic field by taking up their space in the industry.
“I want to encourage women who are interested in art not to shun the practice since it is a sustainable industry if well regulated.
“Although the field is mainly dominated by men, women should not feel discouraged to engage in something they are passionate about.
“We can level the playing field with determination and persistence.
“I also believe we can strike a balance and work towards recognition in various artistic genres as women,” she said.
Nhemachena, who grew up loving art, attributed her passion to her brother whom she fondly recognised as her source of inspiration.
“I started art in grade six while learning at St Joseph’s Primary School. My brother had good sketches which I always admired and hoped to someday partake in.
“His sketches were so beautiful and inspiring that they told profound stories. I started to emulate and gradually I was becoming fine yet I still wanted more,” she said. During high school, Nhemachena was featured in one of the local newspapers after drawing pieces she recalls were responded to positively.
“I knew I had begun telling my story when the audience appreciated my drawings. To me art is life. As human beings we are evidence of art in God’s eyes,” she said.
After completing her high school, Nhemachena could not suppress her curiosity as she further wanted to explore and navigate the artistic world.
“I had to enroll at Chinhoyi University of Technology where I got a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Art and Industrial Design.
“It was during my time there when I was featured in some local newspaper again, this time I had made a portrait of His Excellency President E.D Mnangangwa,” she recalled.
As Nhemachena navigates the visual arts, she seeks to venture into sculpting.
“I am not stopping as yet I want to stretch my imagination and explore the artistic pools.
“I am interested in learning sculpting. I strongly believe there is no limit to what one can do. I will not stop learning until I get it,” she said.
For Nhemachena, art is something that has grown in her and she is showing no signs of stopping as yet.
“When all has been said and done, I want to sow back to my community and make a difference in society. Equip and train in art
“I want society to understand that women can and art is a source of livelihood. There should be no limit to how far the mind can go,” she said.
leeroy mupariri
