Obert Jongwe
Artist Bio
Obert was born on the 3rd of April in 1980 in the rural Mt Darwin in Northern Zimbabwe. During his early years he became interested in drawing through assignments given to him at school, but from the first moment of taking painting seriously, Obert knew that he was fulfilling his destiny. He worked hard, and through some tough times, on this new journey.
Until 2012 his works depicted the native scenes around him in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, in vibrant colours and bold style, and quickly found their way into homes and hearts, but after a year sabbatical he returned in 2013 with a new concept and point of reference for his work. His current direction reflects a more complex world that he views, with the traditional and rural surrounds now in tension/conflict with his western surrounds and lifestyle. His unique scratched finish is now prevalent in all his works, and a highly recognizable signature. This he does as he completes the work, sometimes with closed eyes, for knowing the subject so well, and with it emphasizes the energy field or “aura” of each character or body.
Obert joined Rossouw Modern in 2004 and since then his work has been taken up in major galleries across Africa, including the Zimbabwe National Gallery, and acquired by collectors of modern artwork.
In 2023 Obert spent five months in the USA on a spiritual and inspiration journey that has affected his compositions of his works tremendously. He is now also represented by the Dragonfire Gallery on the Oregon coast.
In 2004, Jozua asked Obert at his first interview to sum up why he became an artist, and his response is still so relevant today.
“ What I see and feel is art, so I paint!”
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