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

Artwork

Edition of 3557.1 (W) × 70.0 (D) cmShipping est. 2 weeks

Pay in 3 instalments with

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 Hwami2 collaborationsKudzanai-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.

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

It was beautifully packaged and was a joy to unbox. The piece itself is stunning, especially for the price.
Review of Descendent - Lucid Dreamer
the item was some of the most professional packing i have seen outside of a museum. exceptionally well packed
Review of Guardian
It's my 1st art piece and I love it! I wish I got it framed.
Review of Guardian
So happy to have the print.
Review of Actual Size
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
Since it was from overseas, I was worried about whether the product would arrive without damage, but it was carefully packaged and arrived without any damage. Thank you very much. And I am satisfied with the work.
Review of Sacred Connectedness
Great experience to buy from you. Felt like I was someone you valued as a customer. Great quality on artwork and packaging
Review of HOPE (126-250)
Art arrived in pristine condition with relevant handling instructions. Bulletproof packaging and white gloves were a welcome surprise.
Review of HOPE (626-750)

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Julian SchnabelThe Swedish House€44,000

Available

Chen Wei TingPoetic fragments€1,200

Draw

Tschabalala SelfYellow Sapphire€2,000Closing in 00d 00h 00m

Draw

Glenn LigonUntitled (Black on Black)€3,000Closing on 17 September