Charmaine Chanakira
How has your current environment and the global socio-political climate influenced your recent works, especially in your 30s?
In my 30s, I've gained a richer understanding of my own identity and how it fits in a broader socio-political context. This has led to a more nuanced approach in my work, where I blend afro-expressionism with elements of advocating for change and activism. My recent pieces are not just about visual appeal but also about provoking thought and inspiring change. They reflect a mature perspective, combining my personal journey with a wider commentary on societal issues. I understand myself better now and will advocate for the causes I care about through my artwork.
What challenges and opportunities have you encountered as an Afro-expressionist painter in today's art world?
I've had the privilege of being in a room with other great artists and collectors, which has been both incredible and humbling. I have had the opportunity to represent Zimbabwe, culture, my people and women alike which fills me with pride to be an ambassador for people who look like me or have come from where I have come from. I've had the opportunity to work with prestigious galleries across the world, including London, Dubai, New York, Miami and many more. I feel a deep sense of honour in being able to reach a wider audience and knowing that people connect with my art on a global scale. Growing up, I couldn’t have imagined how far I have come and how much further I can go.
On the other hand, a significant challenge I face is tokenism, which is something that is not spoken about in the art world. At times, you can feel like you are being used as a token rather than being valued for your genuine contribution to art and culture. Being used as a black, female diversity quota can undermine the hard work and time you put into your craft. Overall the art world has been kind to me and I look forward to opportunities ahead.
How has your identity as a woman in your early 30s shaped your latest collection, particularly in exploring themes like dating, love, and entrepreneurship?
Navigating the dating world can be challenging, and much of my work reflects my personal experiences in this area. For instance, pieces like "Better as Friends" encapsulates the difficulties of finding the perfect dating life. I poke fun at dating apps and dating trends in my artwork but this helps me process the complex emotions that come with being a single woman in her 30s. Sometimes it’s a great time and sometimes it’s lonely.
As an Art-trepreneur, my identity is closely tied to the effort I put into sustaining and building my future. I push myself to work hard every day, inspired and supported by the incredible women around me. Being an artist is not just about making the art, it’s an entire business, you have to wear many hats to keep that business going. Similar to my dating life, I poke fun and make jokes about running a business through my artwork, as it helps me process its complexities.
In what ways has your conversation between your inner child and your current self influenced your artistic expression and themes?
I am always engaging in a constant conversation with my inner child. Painting is a powerful tool that helps me connect with her more deeply. This connection allows me to gain insight into where I might be struggling and what I'm doing well, which is invaluable as I work on Self-development in my 30s. Processing complex emotions and past experiences from childhood allows me to navigate better as an adult. My art often draws from memory, particularly classic 90s cartoons, as I love to dabble in nostalgia. As a child, I found comfort in cartoons as a way to escape and free my mind from real-world problems. This practice not only brings a sense of safety but also enriches my creative expression.
Additionally, using colours pink in my paintings grounds me, providing a sense of stability and calm in my work. I find that the colour pink helps me regress to a child-like state.
Growing up in Zimbabwe and later moving to London, how have these contrasting cultural backgrounds impacted your artistic style and themes? Can you share more about how your early life experiences inform your way of thinking and emotional processing in your art?
My artistic style is heavily influenced by my multicultural, multinational background.
Being from both Zimbabwe and London has allowed me to blend British pop culture with traditional Zimbabwean patterns and motifs in my paintings. Additionally, Japanese pop culture, which played a significant role in my upbringing, has also influenced my style. Growing up in Acton, West London, I often felt there wasn’t a space to fully embrace my African heritage. I found it hard to assimilate with both the white majority and the black Caribbean community that was prominent in my area. I was too white for the black girls and too black for the white girls. I found it hard to share the Zimbabwean music I loved so much or to speak about how delicious the food is as I feared being laughed at. So, I just did my own thing and fell in love with Japanese pop culture. I spent my afternoons watching anime like ‘Sailor Moon’ and drawing manga comic strips. Movies like ‘Kidulthood’ and ‘Adulthood’ were a massive cultural sensation when I was growing up. They reflected (to some extent) what life was like growing up in London for underprivileged teens. I really connected with these films and they often influence my artwork. Now as an adult, I find it hard to ignore all these different parts of me. So instead of trying to separate them, I embrace all of them as one and all of them as a version of me. I see the world through all of those lenses which reflects in my art. I make use of the slang used in the films by quoting references as a way to honour my teenage years. I borrow from Japanese illustration styles when I draw eyes and cartoons. I adorn my paintings with colours and patterns from all over Africa to form Afro-expressionist masterpieces.
Your artwork addresses feelings of helplessness in the face of overwhelming crises. Can you elaborate on how you convey this message through your paintings? How do you balance the expression of personal experiences with broader social issues in your art?
My use of colours and markings in my artwork is intentional; softer tones are used to create balance, while harsher markings can express anger. This approach allows me to channel my personal experiences directly into my pieces. Physical movement plays a key role as I paint,
helping me to channel and release emotions. I incorporate layers and layers of quotes and sayings into my artwork. Some are visible, while others remain hidden. Intrusive thoughts often make their way into my art, such as "F U PAY ME," which I might paint over. This process reflects how I balance personal and social experiences. I start by dealing with my own issues before addressing broader social themes, parallel to putting on your oxygen mask first on a plane before helping others. This method ensures that viewers can connect with my art on multiple levels. There are many narratives at play in my artwork, such as stick men holding guns, representing the complex and multifaceted nature of personal and social issues. It's crucial for me to address my personal experiences first, as this enables me to effectively tackle social issues in my art. Without this self-reflection, I wouldn't have the capacity to address the ongoing social challenges we all face. My artwork is a reflection of this continuous balancing act.
Your work is described as a blend of neo-expressionism with contemporary and traditional African art. Can you talk about how you integrate these styles in your creative process?
I blend the technique of neo-expressionism into my work by using random mark-making and an unplanned composition of colours. This approach allows me to embrace freedom of expression. I draw inspiration from African art, particularly its use of traditional colours like red, black, and green, and incorporate different patterns as well. Additionally, I love to include animals from my homeland, such as elephants, giraffes, and antelope. These elements, combined with the random mark-making, contribute to the unique and expressive quality of my artwork.
How does your intuition and emotional connection with your ancestry influence the creation of your artwork?
Firstly, if you guys didn’t know already, I am a massive spiritual hippy LOL. I grew up Catholic but I decided that I wanted a personal relationship with God or the Universe (which ever word you prefer). I believe I am divinely created, and my spirituality connects me deeply to my ancestry. This connection allows my art to flow organically, without the need for meticulous planning, enabling me to tap into deeper expressions. My work is also influenced by my experience working as an Art Psychotherapist, mental health and intrusive thoughts which provide a means to externalise and process my internal world. As a vivid dreamer, I often remember my dreams and feel they are messages from my ancestors, which I then translate into my paintings upon waking. My collection, "Who Else Is Here?", which I solo exhibited in Dubai, explores themes of self-discovery and identity. It delves into understanding who I am, my values, and the unique traits that define me. It also explores intergenerational trauma and the baggage left behind from the people that came before us. The purpose of the collection was to examine how much of ourselves comes from ourselves and how much of use comes from generations of inherited taught and conditioning.
What do you hope your audience takes away from your art, especially in terms of resilience and taking action in difficult times?
I hope my audience are brave enough to be authentic and challenge anything they believe isn’t who they are. I believe in questioning humanity and our motivations, which I aim to reflect in my work. Although it's essential to be brave, it's equally important to remain self-aware and use what we have to take meaningful action. Ultimately, I want my art to inspire reflection and introspection among viewers, prompting them to explore their own depths and power.
How has the feedback from your community and viewers shaped your approach to creating and sharing your art?
The feedback from my viewers has profoundly influenced how I create and
share my art. Initially, I was really scared to share my work out of fear of judgement but now I appreciate both the positive and negative comments. I am an advocate for authentic expression so I genuinely love learning why people connect or disconnect with my work. I think it’s important to have a variation of opinions as it will help me grow better as an artist and social commentator. I strive to go beyond surface-level expressions, digging deeper to explore and convey more profound themes.