The Belvedere Trust is proud to offer this exhibition to the residents of London as it eases out of lockdown, in a setting that prioritises your health and safety.

The Stars Are Bright: Zimbabwe through the eyes of its young painters from Cyrene (1940-1947) invites you to discover the extraordinary artwork of students at the Cyrene Mission School, a boys’ school near Bulawayo in colonial Zimbabwe (then known as Southern Rhodesia). All the paintings, drawings and sculptures in this exhibition were created by more than 40 artists over a seven-year period, many of whom went on to have important careers at home and abroad. These artists were boys and young men, and their paintings are a product of their imagination as well as factual events and scenes. The depictions of history, folklore, education and nature provide an insight into key moments of the country’s history and culture. Walking through this gallery we encourage you to use your imagination to develop your own interpretations of the meanings and motivations behind these paintings. Explore life, the natural world, spirituality and a changing nation, guided by Zimbabwe’s bright young stars.

Book here

A note from the co-curators

When we began organising The Stars are Bright, which takes its title from a work in the exhibition by Musa Nyahwa dated 1945, we could never have imagined just how much the world would change around us. It is a critical time to share the work of Black artists past and present. We have attempted to present this exhibition in a way that is accessible and that encourages viewers to let their imagination take inspiration from the environment in which the artworks were made. We must remember that there is no single story of African Art and the Cyrene paintings reinforce this view. There is more research to be conducted into this body of work and the hundreds of artists who produced it, many of whom have been lost to history. After this exhibition, the artworks will tour Zimbabwe to be shown there for the first time since the 1940s, marking what we hope will be a fitting reunion with their natural setting.

The stars of the exhibition

Tommy Augustine | John Belopi | Shadrack C. | Eliswell Chandigere | Crispin Chawira | M. Chiangwa | Barnabus Chiponza | Timothy Dhlodhlo | Lot Dungene | Simon Hlabate | Moses Johuma | George Kachange | Caxton Kandiero | William Kumalo | John Mabena | S. Makala | Samuel Manaisi | Josiah Maposa | Lever Matiwaza | Samuel Matowa | Basil Mazibuko | Ananias Mjuru | Adomech Moyo | Mhletshwa Msidazi | Christopher Msindazi | Sonny Msutu | Kenneth Munjoro | Timothy Ncube | Musa Nyahwa | William Nyati | Livingstone Sango | Samuel Songo | John Vuvuya | and others whose names are unknown

General Information

1. Face mask – you will be required to wear a face mask during your visit
2. Bag restrictions – bags of 40 x 25 x 25 cm and over cannot be taken into the exhibition
3. Photography – you are welcome to take photographs (without flash) during your visit
4. Cloakroom – there is no cloakroom at the venue
5. Toilets – a gender neutral and an accessible toilet is available in the venue

We are committed to making the experience of all of our visitors as easy and enjoyable as possible:

• The venue is located at street level and does not have any steps.
• The doors are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
• There is an accessible toilet in the venue.
• Guide companion dogs are welcome.
• Street drop-off is possible by prior arrangement (see contact details below).
• Please talk to a member of staff at the entrance if you have a disability that means you cannot queue or that you need extra assistance.
• If you are an accessible guest, we recommend that you contact us in advance at info@thestarsarebright.com or 020 3222 0674, including the details of your visit if you have already booked it, in order to ensure that we can make your visit as smooth as possible.

Groups – please contact us at info@thestarsarebright.com if you would like a private viewing for a group of ten or more outside of normal operating hours or a guided visit during the normal opening times.

The exhibition is open from Wednesday 2nd – 30th September 2020