Admire Kamudzengerere explores the weight of heritage in ‘Our Father’s Inheritance Does Not Allow Us to Sleep’ at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, a solo exhibition which serves as commentary on the complex layers of identity and heritage. The exhibition delves into the lingering legacies of the past and their profound effect on contemporary life. Featuring a wide array of media including painting, print, video art and performance, Kamudzengerere invites audiences to reflect on the personal and collective burdens of inheritance. The use of the different media speaks to inheritance involving both a look at the past as well as a look we carry forward to the future. For the artist, each medium offers a unique lens through which to engage with the nuances of history. Printmaking, for example, allows him to reflect on the traditional while pushing toward new, evolving narratives. This mixture of old and new symbolises the complexity of what we inherit such as traditions, responsibilities and burdens and how these legacies shape not only individuals but entire societies.
In ‘Our Father’s Inheritance’, Kamudzengerere navigates the tension between personal and collective memory. He reflects on the roles his ancestors played and how their experiences, both positive and negative, have been passed down. Kamudzengerere uses the understanding of inheritance being personal and bearing personal responsibility, such as the inheritance he gained from his own father, to question commonly held beliefs about what inheritance means, challenging the viewer to consider what they, too, have inherited—be it freedom, oppression, tradition or trauma. Through his work, he addresses the unresolved traumas of the past that continue to manifest in today’s world. He draws attention to the complexities of independence, colonialism and the way historical legacies still influence contemporary Zimbabwean society. Admire Kamudzengerere (b.1981) was born after Zimbabwean independence but finds that he too holds an inheritance of the legacy of oppression. This means the history of colonialism is also entwined with that inheritance. The artist grapples with these contradictions, presenting the viewer with an opportunity to reflect on their own position within these larger historical frameworks.
One of the most captivating elements of the exhibition is Kamudzengerere’s use of performance. He views performance as a direct and immersive form of communication that viewers are able to experience in real time. With African culture being inherently performative, the performances in ‘Our Father’s Inheritance’ are a way to bring viewers closer to the themes the artist explores, particularly those related to inherited legacies that continue to shape behavior and identity today. Kamudzengerere’s work transcends personal and cultural boundaries, offering universal reflections on power, legacy and entitlement. Inheritance is a universal theme and a common thread across cultures and touches on profound issues of justice, fairness and expectation. He gives the example of the late Oliver Mtukudzi and the challenges faced by his family after his death, illustrating how inheritance can divide as much as it unites.
As the exhibition unfolds, Kamudzengerere looks ahead to the next chapter of his exploration of heritage. He remains deeply concerned with the legacy of colonialism, particularly the looting of African cultural artifacts. This ongoing issue of repatriation is something the artist plans to explore further, as it ties closely to the themes of loss and reclamation present throughout his work. ‘Our Father’s Inheritance Does Not Allow Us to Sleep’ is a bold, thought-provoking exhibition that challenges viewers to confront their own inherited legacies. Kamudzengerere’s work, with its combination of personal reflection, cultural critique and global perspective, leaves a lasting impact. At its core, it asks an essential question: How do we carry forward the legacies we inherit, and how do we reconcile with the weight they impose on us? The exhibition opened on the 26th of September 2024
