#artdigest

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GotTheSerendipityFactor: What project are you working on now?

Rodney Badza: Well I have just completed my first project for this year that was my first solo exhibition, which opened on the 31st of May this year. However I am about to start on a new project in which I will be working with a local non-governmental organization called Awareness Africa. The project aims at establishing art centers in and around Zimbabwean ghetto neighborhoods with the sole intention of diverting attention from drug and alcohol abuse, and aiming towards more productive activities

GTSF: Ever since I have known you have always been drawing, when did you make the decision that you were going to go into mainstream art?

RB:Well the decision came after I joined First Floor Gallery Harare(FFGH) in 2014.  Working with artists of various natures led to my interest in the various forms of art. Also during my degree studies I had to take up more than just drawing so that also led to the decision of going mainstream

GTSF: You have also adopted other forms of visual arts, were you always versatile?

RB: Yes I was but I just never showed it, I was less confident in the other stuff I could do back then so I ended up just revealing one side

GTSF: What is that one thing that people can identify your designs with?

RB: Well cant really say I’ve got that one thing that says “me” but In drawings and painting I like realism so in every work that I make, I try to put in a pinch of realism no matter how abstract it might be. In graphics I’m into graffiti and curly font, I will squeeze one of the 2 in every bit of my work. But I guess the only thing that people can identify my work by is my logo or my signature

GTSF: What is this figure and what does it represent?

RB: It is my logo which is simply my name, the initial of my first and second name then my last name In full. It just represent who I am.

GTSF: You recently held a solo exhibition a few weeks ago, themed “The Creator’s Palette,” How was the experience?

RB: Overwhelming I must say. An artist’s first solo show is one of the most important things in an artist’s career. For me the experience was just some think one cannot consider explainable, so was the response and support I got from friends, fans, family and well-wishers. So I must say this was one of the best moments of the year so far

GTSF: The last time we met was at an arts Exhibition presented by Masimba Hwati, who do you identify as a role model?

RB: Well I would say my role model is Valerie Kabov, the Director of  FFGH

GTSF: What does your work focus on?

RB: My work touches on social issues, anything that happens in my life mostly. My life inspires my work

GTSF: What’s the last show that you saw?

RB: Munyaradzi Marozva’s exhibition titled “Creative Marathon”

GTSF: What’s the last show that surprised you? Why?

RB:Julio Rizhi’s exhibition at FFGH titled “Mushonga”

GTSF: What’s your favorite place to see art?

RB: First Floor Gallery Harare

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GTSF: Do you make a living off your art?

RB: Yes I do

GTSF: What’s the most indispensable item in your studio?

RB: Well that would be three things; camera, laptop and pencil set, they seem equally important

GTSF: Where are you finding ideas for your work these days?

RB: Well in everything I see, but mostly what’s happening in my life, you know, the stuff that affects me personally.

GTSF: Do you collect anything?

RB: Yes I do, I have recently started a collection of young upcoming artists’ work.

GTSF: What’s the last artwork you purchased?

RB: Munyaradzi Marozva’s illustration of me

GTSF: What’s the first artwork you ever sold?

RB: Well the first one was ‘The lions in my living room’, which is a painting of lions that actually hangs in our family home living room; my mother bought it to show her support to me lol

GTSF: What’s the weirdest thing you ever saw happen in a museum or gallery?

RB: Stephen Cohen’s performances, particularly the one at the Cape Town art fair earlier this year

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GTSF: What’s your art-world pet peeve?

RB: Paying admission at an exhibition opening lol

GTSF: What’s your favorite post-gallery watering hole or restaurant?

RB: NewsCafé

GTSF: Do you have a gallery/museum-going routine?

RB: No not really, I usually just visit any chance I get, but mostly on opening nights

GTSF: Know any good jokes?

RB: Depends on your definition of a good joke lol but I know a few that just might fit the description

GTSF: What’s the last great book you read?

RB: That would be the last book I have read to this point, “Green eggs and Ham-Dr Seuss”, my 4-year-old niece makes me read it out loud for her every night so I guess it must be a really great one

GTSF: What work of art do you wish you owned?

RB: “The girl with a dog by Wycliffe Mundopa”, that’s my current favorite painting

GTSF: What would you do to get it?

RB: Trust me, you don’t wanna know

GTSF: What international art destination do you most want to visit?

RB: Florence, Italy

GTSF: What under-appreciated artist, gallery, or work do you think people should know about?

RB: Zimbabwean Contemporary art, particularly the young upcoming artists

GTSF: Who’s your favorite living artist?

RB: Currently I’m stuck at 2; Wycliffe Mundopa and Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude

GTSF: What are your hobbies?

RB: Drawing, Photography, volleyball.

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David Wamambo: Talking to Rodney about his work gave me so much life. I hope that this interview revived or encouraged you to live your dreams and follow your passion. I believe in harnessing diverse talents and that we should not be forced to conform to one standard.  Africa and today’s youth in general are creative minds and it would be a shame if they are not supported. It’s high time that key stakeholders consider art as an industry in which people may earn an income from, but apart from income, art is a form of expression and identity and thus channels that foster freedom of thought should be promoted in society. Lets celebrate art, lets celebrate diversity.

 *You may connect with Rondey Badza @le_rodni on Instagram and @RodneyBadza Twitter, or follow him on  www.rodneybadza.crevado.com