Kudzanai-Violet Hwami

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami is a Zimbabwean artist based in London, known for her figurative paintings that explore themes of identity, memory, and displacement. She was born in 1993 in Gutu, Zimbabwe, and later moved with her family to South Africa before settling in the UK. Hwami's paintings often feature portraits of people from her personal life, as well as imagined characters, set against vibrant, abstracted backgrounds. Her work is characterized by its use of bold color, intricate patterning, and layered compositions. Hwami's paintings also frequently reference her own experiences growing up in different cultures and locations, as well as broader issues related to race, gender, and sexuality. She has exhibited her work in galleries and museums throughout Europe and the United States, and has been the recipient of several awards and residencies, including the Gasworks International Fellowship in London.