A smiling young man stands side on, arms wrapped around himself on a block red background with a flower and a grey border.

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami

Kudzi

$4,000

Edition of 35

Shipping within 2 weeks

In tender collaged canvases, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami abstracts the contexts of her friends and family – an allegory for identities displaced, or otherwise fragmented.

Kudzi started as a digital collage of the artist’s cousin. Printed, painted on and then faithfully recreated in 17 silkscreen layers. Glossy swathes of colour obscure a halftone-modulated, monochromatic underprint. These innovative techniques – born of close collaboration with artisan printmakers in London – echo the rich, multimedia surfaces of Hwami’s original paintings.

“Here stands a shy, joyous Zimbabwean young man free from realities facing LGBTQ people in Southern Africa.”

The artwork encompasses a collaboration between Hwami, Avant Arte and Queercircle. From September 15, Kudzi will be installed in Queercircle’s reading room alongside a curated selection of queer literature. Visit the accompanying journal to learn more, and for the chance win an artist’s proof!

Behind the scenes

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami

2 collaborations

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami paints colourful portraits full of energy and life. She draws from her experiences living between multiple places – Zimbabwe, South Africa and the UK. Family photographs and found images tend to be her starting point. Hwami then paints these into abstract backdrops and domestic scenes. Crucially, she separates the figures from their original context – a symbol of displacement. Finally, splashes of saturated colour are added over the top. The finished paintings are almost patchwork. Individuals, objects and pools of pigment layer on top of each other. Just like the disparate memories and experiences they represent.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

very professional service. increíble package delivered
Review of Inner Love
strong work from all team members - i look forward to the next purchase!
Review of Untitled [Man in Car with Shed]
Had a great experience. The Avant Art team was extremely helpful throughout the entire transaction.
Review of Untitled (Hand-finished)
Thank you for paying attention to the details and for making even little peope feel grand. 🫶🏻
Review of Guardian
Extremely happy with the artwork but also the online insight to the production and interview with the artist. The shipping and packaging are very considered and I look forward to seeing ( & buying ) other pieces
Review of Guardian
I was lucky enough to have been invited to see the creation of this piece of work back in June and met the fantastic Miwa so seeing this print now is just fantastic. The colours are every bit as vibrant as the original.
Review of Sacred Connectedness
the Service was perfect and i love my print
Review of Sleepy
amazing experience throughout, from the actual purchase to the delivery. it was well package and the unboxing was a sweet experience! can’t wait to have it framed and to hang it on my wall!
Review of La Nascita

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