“A Journey of Artistry and Nature’s Inspiration……. Makiwa’s art is an ode to nature’s magnificence, drawing inspiratiom from the world around him he captures the scenes thorugh photographs and brings them to life on large canvases in his studio.”
Makiwa Mutomba is a self-taught postwar contemporary painter and was born into a Zimbabwean middle-class family on the 8th June 1976 in Chivhu, Zimbabwe. Even though he showed a natural talent for drawing, financial constraints meant that Makiwa was steered in the direction of pursuing an Electronics Engineering degree, where future prospects were obviously far more lucrative than that of an artist. In 1999, during his 3rd year, he however took the plunge, dropped out of university and decided to follow his true passion for painting and make a living as a full-time artist.
The road to success was not easy for Makiwa, who faced challenges while living solely off his art. He relocated from Bulawayo to Harare, the commercial capital of Zimbabwe, and later to the picturesque resort town of Victoria Falls. Here, he sold miniature paintings to tourists by displaying them creatively, hanging the artworks from tree branches at the roadside. During this time, Makiwa discovered a deep affinity for using the knife as his primary painting tool, which eventually became a defining feature of his distinctive style. Abandoning traditional brushes, he exclusively employs the knife to craft his mesmerizing oil paintings.
Using a generous size palette and improvised paint scrapers that mimic palette knives, he blends and applies paint generously, allowing fresh strokes to dry with minimal interference, adding a captivating texture to his creations.
The fruits of Makiwa Mutomba’s labor have earned him international acclaim, with successful solo and group exhibitions held in amongst other countries South Africa, Germany, London and France. His unique artistic talent has also caught the attention of private collectors, commissioning him to create unique masterpieces that bear the hallmark of his knife-only technique. He has had successful solo and group shows in South Africa, Germany, London and France, and has done a number of commissions for private collectors. His oil paintings are painted exclusively with a knife and no brushes. Makiwe has won several prestigious awards not only locally but internationally. For example in 2009 his painting “The Perfect Canvas” was selected in a competition run by Woolworths, and was featured on Woolworths carrier bags. His art has been displayed worldwide at Gallerys across the globe.
As Makiwa’s artistic journey continues, he remains connected to his roots in nature, using his extraordinary talent to evoke emotion and wonder in those who behold his breathtaking artworks. From his humble beginnings in Chivhu to the global stage, Makiwa Mutomba’s artistic legacy continues to flourish, leaving an indelible mark on the world of art.
