Zacharaha Magasa

Born in: 1988
From: Harare, Zimbabwe
Lives and works: Harare, Zimbabwe
Represented by: First Floor Gallery Harare

UN goals

Biography

Zacharaha Magasa weaves together sculptures, using predominantly recycled rubber with twisted steel. By looking into the devastating effects of colonialism in Africa, whether manifested in politics or in the environment, Magasa’s bewildering objects re-evaluate the continent’s past while condemning the remains of such systems, all in an effort to heal open wounds. His work not only challenges abuse of power today but paves the way towards dialogue and regeneration.

Through his use of discarded materials, he transforms debris into artworks, linking him to other African creators using waste as their preferred material like Romuald Hazoumè, who uses plastic bottles to fabricate his sculptures.

His proclivity to use rubber calls to mind Alice Seeley Harris' work in the beginning of the 20th century. Considered as an “early documentary photographer”, she took photographs of mutilated Congolese laborers who had failed to provide their rubber quota. Unlike Harris’ work, Magasa’s sculptures are much more enigmatic but ultimately share the same goal which is to create awareness about segregation and ignite change.