The Minister of Defence

Chiurai’s (born in 1981, Zimbabwe) scathing theatrical compositions about African power and corruption have won him a growing following. Born one year after Zimbawe’s emergence from white-ruled Rhodesia – Chiurai’s early work focused on the political, economic and social strife in his homeland. After leaving his home in Harare in 1999, he studied Fine Art at the University of Pretoria, where he was the first black student to graduate. He then became involved with exile politics and the growing opposition to President Robert Mugabe. He has not returned to his country since.

His works fluidly draw from hip-hop, street art, youth culture and graffiti. He explores themes of urban space, exile, xenophobia, and displacement, as well as the constructed nature of African states and the performative guises of leaders.The photographed presented here are part of a satirical series « The Parliament », of over the top, mock portraits. It depicts the fictitious characters of an imaginary government cabinet in a parody of media representations of masculinity and political power. The series draws upon the conventions of African studio portraiture, dramatised magazine features, hip-hop, film and fashion as well as the story lines, stereotyped characters and plots of soap operas.