Wallen Mapondera’s Conceptual Art

Abstract Wallen Mapondera’s Pahukama is an artwork carrying memories of Zimbabwe’s November 2017 bloodless coup d’etat. The artist employs it as a gateway to documenting the everyday transactions taking place on the country’s streets. The article examines this readymade artwork’s unique qualities in the context of Zimbabwe where a generation of young artists is making art out of found objects. The article interrogates Pahukama, a concept capturing the marriage of convenience struck between the feared army militias and the masses on November 18. On a normal day, commuters crisscross the road, the homeless live on it, street vendors and the illicit forex traders strike deals on it. The article explores the multiple meanings hidden in the artwork as a visual text. While the work is conceptual, some would be tempted to read it literally because of Robert Mugabe’s stature. In conclusion, a suggestion is made for the artwork to be exhibited within Zimbabwe.