Prudence Chimutuwah

Prudence Chimutuwah is a Zimbabwean contemporary visual artist whose work highlights the everyday lives and socio-economic struggles of women in patriarchal societies. Raised in Chitungwiza, she was inspired by local sculptors and female artists like Seminar Mpofu and Colleen Madamombe. Prudence studied painting and sculpture at the National Gallery Visual Arts School from 2009 to 2011.

While initially interested in sculpture, Prudence found the field to be male-dominated, which presented challenges for her. In 2015, she discovered a passion for collage, which allowed her to creatively incorporate recycled materials, including decommissioned Zimbabwean banknotes, magazines, old novels, and newspapers. Her work also integrates elements of contemporary African fashion, text, and symbols, adding depth to her artistic narratives.

Prudence's art primarily centers on women's roles in society, exploring themes of economic ambition, spirituality, and resilience. She is particularly interested in the struggles of young female graduates who face uncertain futures. Through her art, Prudence hopes to inspire and empower women, narrating their evolving roles in the world.

Prudence has participated in numerous major group exhibitions, including at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and international art fairs such as AKKA in France. She has also completed residencies at Greatmore Studios in Cape Town and participated in the Young Contemporary Artist residency in Nigeria. Her solo exhibition, Purple Rhythm, was nominated for Best Exhibition at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) in 2020. Additionally, she was shortlisted as a finalist in the ILO Green Enterprise competition for her mixed media artwork and received an Award of Merit for Originality from Gallery Delta in 2020. Her works can be found in embassies, diplomats' homes, and private collections both in Zimbabwe and around the world.