Lionel Mbayiwa
Lionel Mbayiwa (b. 1982) is a Cape Town-based multimedia artist whose compositions come in painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Employing lessons and experiences from his humble beginnings and upbringing in the countryside, he tells stories that engage various issues in life.
“I grew up in the countryside without a television. All we had were Ngano (folklores, fairy tales, and fables). From them, I could imagine things. My grandmother and mother would tell me, ‘Once upon a time there was a baboon and a hyena...’ We would sit attentively around the fire, listening to the startling stories. I had an imagination of what they were talking about. I could see things happening. There were morals in those stories. Then we had a small radio maybe when I was a bit older.
So, I had my world constructed around these narratives. Apart from the rituals done through the sacrifice of the animals and birds (chicken and pigeons), visiting apostles, and sangomas, animals continue to be used in different ceremonies. This is the relationship I have with animals. It stems from my upbringing. Also coming from a background where the regime in power is very tough on its critics, sometimes I want to talk about leadership in the country in a coded way. If I use real characters I would be haunted, followed up, and harassed. I would rather use animals instead.”
In Zimbabwe, African mythology weaves a vibrant tapestry of stories that reflects the cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of its people. The mythology of the Shona people, the largest ethnic group in Zimbabwe, is particularly noteworthy for its rich narratives and deep connections to the land.
The concept of ancestor veneration is deeply embedded in Shona mythology. Ancestors are believed to play a vital role in the daily lives of the living, and their spirits are often invoked for guidance and protection. Ancestral spirits are honoured through rituals, ceremonies, and the construction of sacred spaces.
The Shona people's mythology is not static; it evolves and adapts to the changing social and cultural landscape. As Zimbabwe undergoes transformations, the preservation of its mythological heritage remains crucial for understanding the deep connections between the people, the land, and the spiritual realm. In a rapidly changing world, the narratives of Mwari, Nyaminyami, and the Mhondoro spirits continue to offer a profound insight into the cultural identity and spiritual resilience of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
Mbayiwa’s greatness lies in his incorporation of the traditions of his background into modern-day living. We live in an age of the internet where we have information at our fingertips. Mbayiwa stresses the importance of heritage, stories handed down from our grandparents and parents to the next generation. We may have all the knowledge available to us but lack the wisdom of how to use it. If you turn on the news and see the craziness going on in the world, we live in a society of ‘who can shout the loudest or who can beat their chest the hardest’. The world is changing for better or worse, but Mbayiwa believes the key to humanity’s evolution is embracing these traditional value systems, and in the Shona Culture, mythological tales about good versus evil.
Country • Zimbabwe
Medium • mixed media on canvas.
FIRST participation WITH CHRISTOPHER MOLLER GALLERY • 2023
Explore his Work
Previous exhibitions by lionel mbayiwa
2024
Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Christopher Moller Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa. - Group Exhibition.
2023
Artist Residency. Schutz Art Museum, Engelhartszell, Austria.
Kevin Atkinson show. SMAC Gallery. Group exhibition.
Takambosvika sei pano? (How did we end up here?). Sisonke Gallery. Solo Exhibition.
Canvas workshop. Zeitz Mocaa Museum Education Centre organised by Jill Trappler
2022
Grow Up And See. AVA Gallery. Solo Exhibition. Spier art light. Spier Wine Estate. Group Show. Polite force project Beightbridge with Dan Halter and Ray Du Toit
2021
Latitudes Online. Latitudes Art Fair. A Group Show.
2020
Harare Art. Group Show.
2019
Home Away From Home. Cape Town Library. Solo exhibition.
2015
Yellow Woods creative block program. Spier Art Trust.