Switzerland Ambassador Donates Art and Ecology Piece to Bulawayo

4 April 2025

By Effort Moyo

Switzerland’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Stephane Rey, has handed over an Art and Ecology piece to the Mayor of Bulawayo, Senator David Coltart, at Bulawayo City Hall.

The artwork, created in collaboration between Harare-based and Bulawayo artists, symbolizes the city’s water challenges and highlights environmental sustainability.

Ambassador Ray emphasized the importance of integrating art into urban spaces to inspire dialogue on ecological issues.

“I am very pleased that this is happening,” Ambassador Ray stated, “because art does not only belong in museums. Art should reclaim the city, and what better place than the building of the people of Bulawayo to get such an inspiration? We started this creative initiative in Harare, and it’s also a partnership between Harare-based artists, famous great ones, and local artists from Bulawayo. It is a public-private-people partnership, and I hope people who visit this building will be encouraged to take a small step to be part of the wider community of artists who care about the environment and ecology.”

Mayor Coltart described the piece as a reflection of Bulawayo’s ongoing water crisis and its impact on residents.

The piece of art that we see now shows us true art,” Senator Coltart stated. “It also, in a brilliant way, links us to another key concern that this city has. The city faces very severe raw water shortages. Our dams at present are saving at 49%, and these empty canisters are symbolic of what the city faces. So, we are very grateful. This is going to be placed at the entrance on the third floor of the Department of Health, which is the department responsible for the consequences of the shortages of water.”

Created by contemporary artist Clive Mukucha, the installation, crafted from plastic containers, worn-out tapes, and water pipes, aims to raise awareness about water conservation and waste management.

“This artwork, which is made out of found materials that resonate with water shortages and finding ways we can have sufficient and adequate water supplies for everyone, this piece resembles the people, the society, and the world as a whole,” said Mukucha.