Join us to experience the exhition of the of the third cohort of the Indabino Arts Residency, Pardon Mapondera, Lloyd Maluleke, and Nothando Chiwanga at DHV Artworks.
Indibano Art Residency, a program established by Bukekile Dube, showcases the talent and creativity of contemporary African artists in Dallas, Texas. The word “Indibano” translates to “a meeting place” in Northern Ndebele/Zulu and serves as a platform to revolutionize the Dallas art scene through cultural and knowledge exchange between African and Dallas artists.
Cohort Three Bios:
Pardon Mapondera
Born on the 26th of September 1992 in the city of Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. Pardon Mapondera is the only child in his family but he was raised by his grandparents whom had five children. He did his primary and secondary education from 1999 to 2008. Due to country’s economical and political frustrations, his education was disturbed and the lessons were not constant, but never the less he managed to complete at least his secondary education. He applied at the National Gallery Visual Art and Design (former British American Tobacco School of Art) after he was advised to since art is his passion, he wanted to enrich his knowledge. He took his time preparing a portfolio to apply with but unfortunately his application was not successful. He went to the country side to do farming as well as building another portfolio to use for his next application. With his keenness, Pardon got help and guidance to erect another strong portfolio from his uncle who is a prominent visual artist (Wallen Mapondera). Finally he was enrolled to his dream school in 2015 and graduated in 2016. Pardon is a full time artist based in Chitungwiza, a 20 minute drive from the CBD of Harare.
I don’t have the monopoly of wisdom but what I do is to share my thoughts with the world. Through art and to make suggestions which may not necessarily be true but they constitute my opinions using my lived experience I observe and question the politics of everyday black existence and struggles. My processes explore the rapidly changing cultural values in my immediate post colonial society .I’m fascinated by how conversations of cultural erosion ,transformation and cultural metamorphosis and the labour of man that seems to bind all these conversations . Through my work I’m constantly searching for way to look into the past while moving forward in a postcolonial Africa. The west African philosophy of the Sankofa becomes an important reference in this reflection. The Zezuru proverb “Ziva kwawakabva kwaunoenda husiku” postulate an certain amount of clarity to be attained by reflecting into the past while moving forward in to a neutral future which boarders on bleakness.Im interested in how post colonial African politics, Indigenous science ,Ancient localized medicine, and various forms and iterations of African theology and spirituality, become coordinates by which the current African pursuit of truth is based on. My material philosophy is based on a zezuru proverb: hupenyu inhava yebenzi musanganiswa wezvese which talks about the Integrated nature of existence. I reflect on how colonization introduced questionable categorization and artificial borders that make up the problematic postcolonial Socio political legacy of struggles we content with today
My material of choice is found materials. Through this spectrum of unpredictable paraphernalia of materials I’m able to collect content and curate already existing histories, stories, continuing politics embedded in this debris of a consumerist culture.Im fascinated by the flexibility of some of the materials that I use , for instance how heat transforms plastic into a metaphor for contorted and traumatized bodies. At this point the materials carry their own stories and philosophy. As an artist I become the curator and broker of these stories. My material choice is perfect for exploring the different forms violence projected upon the environment and culture in post colonial Africa colonizers and colonized.
Lloyd Maluleke
Lloyd Maluleke is a South African visual artist from Thomo Village near Giyani in Limpopo,
currently based in Johannesburg. He is the co-founder of Perspective Art Studios, located
within Mmarthouse Gallery, where he fosters collaboration between emerging and
established artists. His studio focuses on printmaking and interdisciplinary artistic practices
that bridge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary expression.
Maluleke’s artistic journey delves into the complexities of identity, culture, and everyday
human experience, with a deep emphasis on family dynamics and values. He draws
inspiration from the unsung heroes of daily life—individuals who work tirelessly to support
their families, often within labor-intensive industries. Through his art, he seeks to honor
these narratives, telling the story of his roots and the traditions that shape his worldview.
The materials he uses are rich with symbolism, reflecting his commentary on humanity’s
relationship with nature and cultural heritage. His signature use of brown handmade paper,
reminiscent of cowhide, embodies resilience and endurance. Through manipulating this
tactile material, he explores notions of innocence, fragility, and strength, while
encouraging awareness of environmental and social interconnectedness.
In one of his notable works, “Like Father, Like Son,” Maluleke pays tribute to the resilience
and determination of those working in labor-intensive sectors. The piece captures a
moment of intimate connection, inspired by his own childhood experiences and family
struggles. It reflects themes of perseverance, courage, and intergenerational
relationships, underscoring the importance of heritage and tradition.
Through his work, Maluleke seeks to inspire a deeper appreciation of the human
condition and the transformative power of art. By revisiting his roots and embracing his
cultural heritage, he creates pieces that not only reflect his personal identity but also
resonate with shared values found in Ubuntu. His art becomes a platform for
environmental consciousness, social reflection, and storytelling—a visual dialogue that
connects past and present, self and community, identity and humanity.
Nothando Chiwanga
Nothando chiwanga was born in 1997 ,Harare Zimbabwe a multidisciplinary artist
whose practice spans photography, performance ,installation , video and collage .A
graduate of the National Gallery School of Visual Arts and Design in Harare, she uses
her body as both subject and medium exploring themes of memory, womanhood and
indentity. Through self portraiture and staged performances ,chiwanga transformations
personal experiences into symbolic narratives that reflect on the complexities of being a
woman in contemporary African society. Her work is rooted in storytelling drawing
textures of everyday life domestic tools ,fabrics,braids and gestures to reflect the
intersection between tradition and transformation. She has exhibited widely ,including
New Signatures (2019),Green Shoots (2020),We Should Be All Human (2023),Zvepano
(2023) at National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Notes For Tomorrow by Independent Curators
International, Zimbabwe Dubai Pavillion (2022),Young Contemporaries (2022)at Rele
Gallery in Nigeria, Next of Kin (2025) at Thoughts Pyramid Gallery in Nigeria , Art Harare
at Capetown art fair (2024) , Art Harare at 1-54 New York (2024) and If These walls
could speak at Mbare Art Space ( 2024) .She has participated at art residency
programs at Rele gallery (2022) in Nigeria ,Animal farm Artist Residency (2023) in
Zimbabwe, Resilient Accelarator at Unesco in Harare Zimbabwe (2023) and Mbare Art
Space Harare Zimbabwe (2024) . She was awarded best in Video at Zimbabwe visual
arts awards (2023) . Her works continues to gain recognition across Africa and Europe
,positioning her as one of the leading emergin artist voice in Zimbabwe contemporary
Art.