The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Entertainment Correspondent
A TEACHER at Mutare Boys has taken the arts industry by storm after developing paintings that speak to the world about the beauty that exists in the ruins of ancient societies.
In an interview with The Weekender, Mike Chaumba said he developed the love for art at a tender age. He said art has become part of his lifestyle.
“I was born with the gift of drawing. I was interested in drawing plants and portraits. Art has become my lifestyle and I enjoy doing it,” he said.
He has participated in many prestigious events where he showcased his creativity.
“Art has taken me to places. I have showcased my work at the Tertiary Institution Festival of Arts in Zimbabwe (TIFAZ), Research and Intellectual Output Social Economic Transformation (RIOSET) in 2015 and 2016 respectively. I won the first prize.
“I have also presented my work at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and MANISA. I have won several accolades when I was still a high school student to date,” he said.
He said the secret of his success lies in hard work.
“I work very hard to develop paintings that speak both to me and others. It also speaks about the relationship between God and man especially the fall of mankind.
“Before I start painting, I have to read as much as I can about the specific set of ruins I would be about to recreate on my canvas. I just do not want to merely capture the image with my brushes, but rather to give that society life once more. I try with every finished work to breathe life into a long forgotten culture so that its design, ideas, innovativeness and lifestyles are displayed on my canvas.
“The challenge as with any recreated moment from the past is to not caricature the moment, but instead capture it in all its former glory. My art does not speak only for me but for people who were long ago silenced,” he said.
Chaumba was born in Mberengwa and attended Lundi Park Primary School in Gweru. He later transferred to Mutare where he enrolled at Mutare Boys High School for his secondary education. In 2014, he enrolled at Mary Mount Teachers College for a three year teaching diploma. He is currently a teacher at Mutare Boys High School where he is taking on practical Art with Form One to Six classes.
