This is the first of a series of articles where we look at arts and culture figures in Zimbabwe who have contributed immensely to the country but remain largely unnoticed and uncelebrated.

Thakor Patel came to Zimbabwe on an invitation by a friend just after independence in 1980 and fell in love with the country so he decided to stay. He has been producing and selling art here for thirty years now, exhibiting all over the world and winning awards- but like that of many artist, his name remains a footnote to the story of Zimbabwe’s last three decades.

Left: Thakor at work.
(Photo by Dave Brazier)

Initially, trying to sell his art, he walked every street corner in Harare but no one appreciated his work until finally he came across a board that read Delta Gallery in Manica Road (now Robert Mugabe Road).

He was shown his way into the gallery and upon entering he felt he had come to the right place finally. He was right. He introduced himself to Helen Leiros, the lady in charge, and showed her his work. When she saw it, she was awed and wanted to exhibit it immediately.

The answer, off course, was yes, but he had no money to have the framing done and he explained his situation. The gallery helped him out and two weeks later his work was on display.

His drawings were sold for twenty five dollars as compared to fifty cents which he had been offered initially by a card shop.

This was the beginning of Thakor Patel’s journey in the art world of Zimbabwe.

Born in India in 1932, he grew up in Sujitra in the Kaira district of Gujarat. At school he was told by teachers that he could never be an artist because he was disabled.

Against all odds he studied drawing and painting for five years and completed with a first class position. He also did a four year commercial arts course at Mumbai’s Sir J. J. School of Art where he graduated with a first class diploma in painting and drawing.

He then worked as a textile designer and assistant director for Weaver Service
Centre at the All India Handloom Board.

“I initially started learning music but a friend of mine told me I could become a painter,” Thakor said in an interview with The Zimbo Jam. “After that I went on to study art but my teachers had told me that I could not be an artist which made me very
stubborn and so I went on to become an artist”.

^ Not forgotten. Thakor with friends at the Pages of Diary exhibition, March 2010.

This is one of Patel’s defining characteristics. He is a man of few words but there is a resilience and strength about him that you cannot miss. As Weaver Press’ Murray McCartney puts it “Thakor Patel is a lovely artist. He’s humble and shy yet he can be tough and if he decides something is right or wrong he makes his position very clear.”

McCartney then adds a sad but truth. Patel is, he says; “A gentle highly moral led person who’s a beautiful artist. When he first tried to sell his paintings he could not afford to frame them and thirty years down the line he still can’t afford to frame his own pictures. So life is a struggle for an artist but he can’t stop and is still here doing what he knows best.”

Patel has travelled, exhibited his work and attended workshops all over the world including in the USA, UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Senegal and his homeland India, just to name some.

His list of awards, honours and exhibitions is a wonder to behold and we have published them here just so you can see it for yourself. His work can be seen in the National Gallery of Zimbabwe's permanent collection, in the collection of art at Zimbabwe's State House and in collections in at least twenty other countries.

From 1982 to 1990 he lectured Graphic Design at the Harare Polytechnic College.

Now, he lives with his wife, in a flat in Belvedere, still painting as if his life depended on it- and perhaps it does.

In March 2010 some friends of his organised a solo exhibition of his work at Gallery Delta as a way of celebrating his work and helping him to raise money for his upkeep.

The exhibition was themed Pages of Diary and the opening on March 23rd drew a crowd of about 200 people.

Left: Thakor Patel pictured at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Right: Thakor with one of his works of art entitled "With My Last Leg."

It was such a success that a visiting German couple, who were there among other members of the diplomatic community, wanted to buy some of the art pieces but each time they tried picking some of the artist’s work they found the painting already sold. A disappointment for them but joy for Thakor who, like many Zimbabwean artists, often struggles to sell his work.

“We liked the exhibition very much and saw at least 5 paintings that we
liked but they were all sold,” they told The Zimbo Jam. “We have made arrangements to visit Thakor at his home and see if we can pick some of his work before we leave.”

At the end of the evening we asked Thakor how he felt to which he responded, “I am very proud of this show, and though I haven’t exhibited after a very long time I am to happy see that I am still appreciated and not forgotten.”

Thakor Patel, we celebrate and salute you.

- Fazila Mahomed for The Zimbo Jam

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Lud   |2010-07-04 10:08:49 Thakor is really an uncelebrated man, a great artist who needs to be given the accolades he so deserves- but he is one among many artists that are not acknowledged. Reply 0   0

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