Charles Kamangwana

Born in 1972, Charles Kamangwana is an internationally recognized painter from Zimbabwe. He began painting as a child and now works as an instructor of painting and visual arts at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Over the past 10 years, Kamangwana has won numerous awards including the 2002 Merit Award from the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. He has staged annual exhibitions in Europe for the past five years and recently served as an artist in residence in the Netherlands. In 1999, he was selected to attend the Caversham Press printmaking workshop in KwaZulu-Natal where he received instruction from renowned South African artist David Koloane.

Kamangwana derives endless inspiration from the streets of Africa and has mastered the ability to capture seemingly insignificant moments with striking flair. His characters are often depicted from the back or with murky faces, focusing the viewer’s attention on the larger setting. Kamangwana’s paintings often celebrate the contributions of the working-class and his recent show at Zuva Gallery in Johannesburg included bold renditions of miners, street vendors and construction workers.

Kamangwana also tackles sensitive political issues in Zimbabwe using an understated yet powerful style that raises important questions about his country’s future.