A few words about your artistic career
My journey as an artist has not been easy, but in many ways it has been very rewarding. I've been able to help create healing content that allows me to express myself and start conversations in my community. I believe that my content leads to socio-political conversations.
How long have you been an artist?
I've been an artist since 2013 and I release music almost every year.
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Why did you apply for this scholarship? How will the scholarship support you?
The grant would enable me to continue creating content at a time when the pandemic is paralysing a lot of artists. I have this dream of talking about current issues around sexuality and other social problems. Without the grant, I would have had to wait until the pandemic was more manageable.
What are your concrete artistic objectives after this residency?
I intend to create platforms for other artists like myself who believe in their responsibility to hold society to account through art.
What did you achieve during this creative residency? What is the result (work created)? Who was involved in the creative process?
During the creation of this project, I was able to collaborate with other artists from my country and elsewhere. I was able to share stories about self-realisation, socio-political injustice, inequality and governance issues. I created a music EP and a video that is available on youtube. I worked with a music producer, Texas, a sound engineer, Ebenezzer Maxwell, a videographer, Dir MK and a photographer, Mimi Bouvier.
How do you think these activities help us to think about the world today, in relation to the COVID-19 crisis, and/or about building for the future?
I think it's important to be aware of your communities. The music touched on a number of social issues. Interestingly, there has been a huge debate and call to action in Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwean Lives Matter movement. I'd like to think that music has also had an impact on the way people view politics and government.
Music challenges my community to investigate further and to challenge our leaders. It's not an easy thing to do, but it's an important thing to do. I'm excited to see the impact of music on my community and minority groups across the country.
How did you feel during the residency? And afterwards?
The Résidence made me a little anxious. As a perfectionist, I wanted everything to conform perfectly. Being able to rely on other partners for the same project was a challenge. A lot of work went into designing perfect content.
Mixing and mastering the music took longer than expected because I wanted the best possible sound. Bouncing ideas around with the different collaborating artists was interesting and sometimes frustrating, but in the end I feel we did a great job. I love both projects and they've also received great reviews from fans.
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Shelter
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Sunflower Frequency
Discover Michael Chiunda's entire 'Shelter' album
