Moffat Takadiwa
Moffat Takadiwa (b. 1983, Hurungwe) lives and works in Harare, Zimbabwe. Takadiwa transforms post-consumer waste—such as computer keyboards, bottle tops, toothbrushes, and toothbrush tubes— into lush, densely layered sculptures and tapestry-like wall works and sculptures. A prominent voice from the post-independence artist generation in Zimbabwe, Takadiwa creates work that centerstages his Korekore heritage while engaging with themes such as consumerism, inequality, post-colonialism, and the environment. Takadiwa is also a founder of Mbare Art Space in Harare where he plays a major role in mentoring the growing artist community, establishing the world's first artistic center dedicated to repurposing reclaimed materials.
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A Language for the Future: Shenandoah interviews Zimbabwean artist Moffat Takadiwa
My work speaks a lot about colonial residue or colonial hangover, and language is one of the things that I’m very particular about because it is one of the most important vehicles of culture.
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Shenandoah Interviews Zimbabwean Artist Moffat Takadiwa
Moffat Takadiwa is a contemporary Zimbabwean artist who repurposes post-consumer waste such as bottle caps, toothbrushes, keyboard keys, and clothing buttons, and transforms them into large-scale sculptures, tapestries, and installations. Takadiwa’s work has been exhibited all over the world, and his most recent exhibit, Recoded Memories, is currently on view at the Art Museum and Galleries at Washington and Lee University from October 24, 2025 to May 31, 2026. Shenandoah’s Special Features Editor, Nadeen Kharputly, interviewed the artist to discuss how his work embodies language, narrative, colonial and postcolonial history, environmental justice, and memory.