HARARE - Shungu Trust for Deaf Youths is engaging in a heart-warming exhibition entitled “Without Words in Domboshawa” to take place on October 20.

The trust is led by Ronika Tandi, a teacher at Emerald Hill School for the Deaf.

The exhibition will take place at the spectacular Domboshawa Monuments.

It is supported by Emerald Hill and a German project called Little Zim — Art of Africa, headed by Franz-L Keck.

Renowned deaf artist Shepard Mahufe fresh from a three-week workshop and exhibition in Germany at Keck’s Studios will showcase his works. Other deaf artists will also exhibit at the event that will last two days.

Tandi said she was motivated to come up with the exhibition because people with disabilities produce quality works but are often not recognised.  

“People with disabilities often develop greater sensitivity, talents and qualities in other fields. They use their intuition, emotion and skills to express themselves in other ways.

“This is often overlooked in this more and more rushed and noisy world.

“We want to show you how well one can communicate without hearing and speaking and how well deaf people can express themselves through art.”

Tandi, an artist and volunteer teacher founded Shungu Trust in 2011 with Sister Tariro, Headmistress of the Emerald Hill School for the Deaf.  

The trust operates mainly out of the school premises but other venues are used for workshops, exhibitions and outings.

Tandi said the Trust began as an art project at the Emerald Hill School for the Deaf.

It was created to help young deaf people to develop their skills in various fields of art and to give them a platform to show their skills.

“The trust has hopes to receive more support from local and international artists, institutions and individuals. In January 2012 the first exhibition was held at the Zimbabwe-German Society, Harare. It was attended by many supporters and a number of pieces of art were sold.

At present there are seven deaf students attending Shungu who work alongside, and receive training from local well-known artists.”

The programme plans to cover many aspects of art — from sculpting and painting to metal work and possibly dance and drama.

The vision is for Shungu to be respected and appreciated through the creativity of the deaf students whose talents are yet to be fully recognised in the society.

The second day of the exhibition will begin with a mass-service followed by a braai and a number of activities that suit the place, the title and the weather, said Tandi.

Finally, art-lovers and well-wishers will have the opportunity to bid at an auction of selected pieces of art produced by the talented deaf artists.

The activity received assistance from the National Monuments of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe-German Society, Verandah Gallery, Anna Fleming and Intoafrica — Fritz Meyer.