Moffat Takadiwa on display at the 36th Bienal de São Paulo

Primo Marella Gallery is pleased to announce the participation of Moffat Takadiwa in the 36th Bienal de São Paulo.

 

For this prestigious occasion, Takadiwa presents a monumental new project that expands his signature practice of transforming post-consumer waste into powerful visual narratives. Rooted in the cultural traditions of his native Zimbabwe, his textile-based works explore urgent global issues such as consumerism, environmental degradation, inequality, and the lingering impacts of colonialism.

Through intricate compositions made from discarded materials—such as plastic, metal, and product packaging—Takadiwa creates vibrant, organic forms that evoke microorganisms, ritual artifacts, or sacred symbols. These hybrid sculptures merge beauty with political critique, reimagining waste not as refuse, but as a medium for cultural healing and resistance.

 

At the Biennial, Takadiwa draws inspiration from the symbolic legacy of Noah’s Ark. His immersive installation invites viewers into a transformative space, envisioned as a portal rather than a vessel, marking a transition toward a renewed cosmic cycle. The use of the mbira, a traditional Sub-Saharan African instrument, reinforces the spiritual and sonic dimension of the work, evoking ancestral knowledge and the potential for regeneration.

 

Takadiwa’s contribution prompts reflection on the inseparability of capitalism, racism, and ecological crisis—particularly in the context of the Global South. Through the lens of Ubuntu, a philosophical framework centered on community, care, and interdependence, the artist proposes a vision of the future grounded in sustainability and collective well-being.