Meet Simbarashe Maengera, is a talented artist and designer from Zimbabwe, known for his powerful and thought-provoking work. From creating stunning murals at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to designing the trending Bulawayo Arts Festival poster, Simbarashe’s art has been making waves in the creative industry.

In this exclusive interview, Simbarashe shares his journey as an artist, from his early inspirations to his current projects and collaborations. With a passion for exploring themes like Afrofuturism and traditional African aesthetics, Simbarashe’s work is not only visually stunning but also deeply rooted in his cultural heritage. Let us dive into his story and discover what drives his creativity as he shares the details with My Afrika Magazine.

TR: Can you share with us how your journey as an artist began, and what sparked your passion for art and design?
SM: Growing up, I was the quintessential creative and crafty kid. My days were filled with drawing and transforming everyday objects into toys. Animated cartoons and video games were a huge fascination, and as I got older, that interest evolved into a deeper curiosity about how these visual worlds were actually made. My mother, a stylish and creative woman who initially worked in a clothing factory and later pursued fashion design independently was a significant inspiration. Witnessing her build something from the ground up, definitely fueled my own creative drive. I think I inherited my eye for aesthetics from her!
My formal introduction to art came in high school at Cyrene Boys School, which had a really dynamic art scene. Stepping into that art room for the first time was truly a revelation. Later, I developed my skills with a National Diploma in Commercial Design from the Bulawayo Polytechnic’s Institute of Art and Design.

TR: How do you see your art evolving in the future, and what projects or themes are you most excited about exploring next?
SM: Right now, I am really excited about a few immediate projects. Screen printing allows me to bring my vector illustrations to life in a tangible way. I have also been diving into the world of 3D modeling in virtual reality and exploring 3D printing. It is definitely a learning curve, but incredibly thrilling. Further down the line, I plan on creating vinyl toys that explore themes I am passionate about, particularly Afrofuturism and the intriguing intersection of traditional African aesthetics with contemporary design.

TR: What inspired the design of your 65th ZITF mural, and can you walk us through your creative process?
SM: The creative process for the ZITF mural was quite collaborative. It involved numerous meetings and sketch presentations with the ZITF’s creative marketing team. Our goal was not only to celebrate the ZITF but also to honor the city of Bulawayo through its iconic structures, ensuring the message resonated clearly. To maintain cohesion, we opted for a limited color palette that stayed close to the ZITF’s corporate branding.

TR: How long did it take to complete the 65th ZITF mural, and what challenges did you face?
SM: We managed to complete the mural in about two and a half days. The main challenge we encountered was the unpredictable weather. We experienced on-and-off drizzle on the first day, but thankfully, the sun shone brightly for the remainder of the project.

TR: Can you tell us about your collaboration with BOW on the mural project? What was the dynamic like?
SM: Working with BOW is always fantastic. We share similar artistic goals and have a great understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This mural was our third or fourth collaborative project, and he consistently proves to be incredibly resourceful, a true master of his craft while still remaining a student of the game. Our artistic styles blend seamlessly, and you can definitely expect more collaborative projects from us in the future.

TR: One of your designs was recognized as the best in the Paradigm Initiative’s Africa-Connected competition. How did that recognition impact your career?
SM: Winning the Paradigm Initiative #AfricaConnected campaign was truly a great honor. With over 100 submissions from across the continent, receiving first place was quite humbling. Beyond the recognition, it also opened up a wealth of opportunities and connections across the African continent, which has been incredibly valuable.

TR: What does it mean to you to be an artist in Zimbabwe, and how do you think your work reflects the country’s culture and identity?
SM: Thank you! A friend once called me a patriotic person, and I suppose that sentiment reflects in some of my work, which often draws inspiration from Zimbabwean imagery and symbols. I always try to weave my Zimbabwean-African identity into my creations.

TR: Your latest creative project is the Bulawayo Arts Festival poster. What inspired the design, and what is the story behind it?
SM: When I received the call from the Bulawayo City Council, I was truly honored to lend my creative skills to such a significant event. I was fortunate to have been given creative freedom to develop the overall branding for the festival. The team was also incredibly helpful, providing me with published materials detailing the history and arts of the city for research. Like all my projects, I began by opening my sketchbook and jotting down initial ideas. My core concept was to juxtapose Bulawayo’s energetic arts scene with its iconic landmarks. This led to the idea of pairing a percussionist with the distinctive Bulawayo Thermal Power Station towers. These initial sketches are usually very loose and quick. I then narrow it down to about two selected concepts, develop more detailed versions, and finally transfer those onto a graphics tablet to refine them using design software.

TR: Your work has been supported by the American Embassy. What does this partnership mean to you, and how has it influenced your artistic journey?
SM: I have been very fortunate to have the support of the Embassy of the United States in Zimbabwe for several of my projects. Their participation in creative initiatives like the “Vote in Peace (VIP)” project which advocated for peace during and after the 2023 elections and the Bulawayo Creative Showcase, an annual event for which I am the creative director to celebrate the city’s vibrant creative scene, has been invaluable. The Embassy’s support has not only provided significant exposure for my work and that of other Bulawayo creatives, but I deeply value their continued commitment to encourage creative endeavors and projects within Zimbabwe. It’s truly empowering to have such impactful partnerships.

TR: What has been your greatest moment as an artist so far, and why is it significant to you?
SM: There are a few moments that stand out as truly significant. One would definitely be the joint exhibition Illustrating Voices in 2024. It was an incredible honor to exhibit alongside legendary designers like Chaz Maviyane-Davies and Saki Mafundikwa, artists whose work I deeply admire. Another highlight was winning the Best Poster award at the African Architecture Awards in 2017 and of course, winning the Paradigm Initiative #AfricaConnected campaign, with over 100 submissions from across the continent, was a very proud moment. Each of these experiences has been incredibly rewarding and has fueled my passion to keep creating and pushing boundaries.