Through his art, Option Dzikamai Nyahunzvi invites viewers to reflect on the sacredness of ancestry, the cyclical nature of life, and the ongoing dialogue between the past and present. His work serves as both a celebration of cultural identity and a meditation on the unseen forces that shape human existence.
Born in Harare in 1992 and raised in Rusape, Zimbabwean artist Option Dzikamai Nyahunzvi is celebrated for his vibrant, mixed-media compositions that explore themes of spirituality, ancestry, and cultural mythology, deeply rooted in his Shona heritage. His distinctive style merges painting and printmaking techniques, creating dynamic layers of bright colors and intricate contour lines that evoke both the physical and spiritual realms.
From a young age, Nyahunzvi demonstrated a passion for art, drawing inspiration from his imagination and experiences. Determined to pursue his creative path, he earned a Certificate in Visual Arts and Design from the National Gallery School of Visual Arts and Design in association with Harare Polytechnic in 2015. During his studies, he developed a signature technique of layering Fabriano paper onto canvas, which he then peels away in strips to reveal etched lines. This process not only adds texture but also symbolizes the shedding of burdens and obstacles—a metaphor for personal growth and transformation.
Nyahunzvi’s work often features distorted, ghostly figures that represent ancestral spirits, serving as guardians and guides for the living. These spectral forms, often portrayed in animalistic shapes or as familiar faces, inhabit vast, dreamlike landscapes, inviting viewers to explore the intersection of the real and the imagined. A recurring motif in his work is the zebra, a totem symbol that connects the artist to his clan and ancestors. Through the zebra’s distinctive stripes, Nyahunzvi pays homage to his cultural heritage while reimagining traditional storytelling and mythology through a contemporary lens.
His creative process is fluid and intuitive, allowing for a seamless blend of spontaneity and careful deliberation. By flattening perspective and using textured layers of color-blocked paper alongside bare, unpainted spaces, Nyahunzvi creates compositions where no single element is prioritized, encouraging viewers to engage with the entire canvas and interpret its meaning individually.
Since his emergence as an artist, Nyahunzvi has exhibited widely, both in Zimbabwe and internationally, with his works featured in prestigious galleries such as the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Delta Gallery, and Tsoko Gallery. He has also participated in numerous artist residencies, including the National Gallery School of Visual Arts and Design’s Artist in Residence Program in 2014. His work is held in prominent international collections, including Manchester United Football Club, the residence of the German Ambassador to Zimbabwe, and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
EDUCATION
2012/ 2015
Certificate of competence in Visual Arts and Design awarded by Harare Polytechnic College in association with the National Gallery School of Visual Arts and Design.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS EDUCATION
2022
Face The Nation, Pacers Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
2021
Sacred Origin (Kwatinobva kunoyera), Unit London Gallery, London, UK
2017
The Magic in the Everyday Life, The Corridor Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe
2015
Civilized Debauchery, KooVha Creative Hub, Harare, Zimbabwe
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2023
Art on Paper, Galerie SANAA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2022
BIG ART Bijlmerbajes, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Vanguards, Unit London Gallery, London, UK
Home is Not a Place, Pen Project, Miami, California, USA
2021
Healing Power, Tropenmuseum Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2020
Healing Power, Winti, Sjamanism and more, Museum voor Volkenkunde, Leiden, The Netherlands
Unlocked Reconnected, Galerie SANAA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2019
Encounters, Nafasi Art Space, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Roots & Routes, 10 years, Galerie SANAA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
2018
Paper Tigers, First Floor Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe
Harare Contemporary, Circle Art Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe
Art The Hague, Galerie SANAA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Meeting of the Minds, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Right at the Equator, The Depart Foundation, Malibu, California, USA
2017
Line and form, Gallery Delta, Harare, Zimbabwe
Link, Gallery Delta, Harare, Zimbabwe
The Blind Man and the Elephant, Tsoko Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe
2016
Zig Zag Zim, The National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
PIASA, Origins & Trajectories II, Art Contemporain African ET de la Diaspora, France
Artists in the stream VII, Gallery Delta, Harare, Zimbabwe
2015
Parallels, Hunt Fine Arts, New York, USA
Zimbabwe Annual Heritage (Mharidzo) Exhibition, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Summer Exhibition, Gallery Delta, Harare, Zimbabwe
D.A.I month of printmaking, Dzimbanhete Arts Interactions, Harare, Zimbabwe
ART FAIRS:
2023
1-54 Contemporary African art fair, New York, Wunika Mukan Gallery
2022
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London, UK with Unit London Gallery
2015
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London, UK with Unit London Gallery
RESIDENCIES:
2023
Africa 1:1 Residency Project, AKKA Project Venice in collaboration with Ca’ Pesaro, International Gallery of Modern Art, Venice, Italy, and Africa First, Tel Aviv, Israel
2022
Pacers Gallery, Yawoa foundation, Lagos, Nigeria
2019
Nafasi Art Space, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Great more studios, Cape Town, South Africa
2018
Taboos and sacred legends, The Thami Mnyele Foundations and CBK Zuidoost, Amsterdam, The Netherlands