Ish "The Artist" Marimirofa returns to Bulawayo

Ish Marimirofa is an upcycling artist and craft producer who lives and works in Harare Zimbabwe. Known for his miniature/ assemblage sculptures, that are responding to topical issues affecting Zimbabweans on a daily bases, the versatile artist is showing his mixed media collection of art and crafts. Ish has this lovely technique of using wire as a line on a painted surface and the finish is unique because of its 2D with rich texture, his use of wire extends to sculptures combined with various materials like wood glass and plastic. Ish Returns to Bulawayo to showcase Once-Upon-A-Time: A Nostalgic Feeling an exhibition pushing new narratives and imagining upcycling and assemblage work as futuristic, anthropomorphic miniature forms of art made from wood, wire and plastics. In October 2022, Ish took a bold step in his practice by participating in the Hlanganani/ Sanganai Expo at the Zimbabwe International Trade fair and he walked away with an award affirming his practice in the big stages of Zimbabwean markets. In 2023, Ish "The Artist" is presenting a solo exhibition, and launching his professional career as one of the artists making use of discarded material into aesthetic works of art by repurposing and extending the life of materials creating worthwhile, which will be cared for and admired by many. The exhibition is an ongoing series or works under the Once Upon A Time theme and his understanding of Martials, and a great degree of skill and imagination makes him one of the assemblage artists to lookout for in this country. His Harare home studio/ gallery is a great starting point to understand his thought process which amplifies the Climate Change discourse with an interesting and careful depiction of political social issues in the country.

IMG: Investing into eternity- found objects Art has the power to inspire action. I’m glad to see Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and other business establishments supporting this exhibition which is taking us to a place and time we once was and at the same time damaging action to the issues to do with the environment highlight the problem and open conversations to bring about change. His work is intricate with many artworks pieces assembled to create unique pieces. Ish began exploring art while he was in formal employment with a big retailer in the country, and developed a passion for up-cycling experimenting with various materials with incredible skill that has turned discarded everyday metal items into the most breath-taking sculptures of, people, musical instruments and more. I particularly love his work titled “Investing into eternity”, and “I second the motion” which focused topical political issues that are current in Zimbabwe. Ish says “The last few years have taught me that when it is our time to leave this world no one can stop it. We have one life to live. The material things we invest in are left behind only to be discarded. Memories are important to me. Follow his work on https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_a_time_ish/ Marimirofa’s work is like a sing along song, colourful and eye-catching one can relate to each artwork, hence the exhibition title. A Nostalgic Feeling. the exhibition is showing at the 22 September to 22 October 2023. Cliford Zulu is an independent Curator who works in Bulawayo