The art of Lazarus Takawira in the light of Frank McEwen's theory of inner vital forces

Abstract

Frank McEwen's theory of inner vital forces was developed in Paris in the 1930s, where he met Picasso, Leger, Braque, Miro and Brancusi – artists inspired by archaic and primitive art. These views complemented the teachings of Carl Jung, who described many positive aspects of spontaneity and vitality, most fully manifested in the works of primitive societies. McEwen was looking for a space where artists would not be influenced by outside factors. He found such an environment in the 1950s in what was then Southern Rhodesia, where he was the organiser of the National Gallery in Salisbury. The Shona people who live in these areas expressed their artistic creativity mainly through dance and music.

Frank McEwen created a school for sculptors where invited locals were to draw inspiration from everyday life, from the world around them, in the way they understood it. He worked with each one individually, trying not to impact the creative process. In 1971, his school succeeded. Musee du Rodin in Paris hosted an exhibition that garnered enthusiastic reviews, and all the exhibits were sold. Artists such as Joram Mariga, Tapfuma Gutsa, Bernard Takawira and Henry Munyaradzi exhibited their works there. Each of them has developed their own individual style.

These artists passed on their ideas to the next generations, considering the perception of a work of art as a kind of a signpost in social life, and the artist himself or herself as an engineer and commentator of reality. The representative of the next generation was Lazarus Takawira, who followed the voice of his heart and abandoned his career in the Rhodesia police in favor of devoting himself to sculpture. Following his intuition and the guidance of Frank McEwen, he created a unique universe in which women and their role in society were central. His works have been exhibited at the Musee du Rodin in Paris, the World Bank in New York, the Africa Museum in Belgium and the Museum of Mumbai, India.