Obert Jongwe
The mother and child are locked in a quiet, intimate moment, symbolizing the tenderness and mutual trust that form the foundation of peace. The intense red background typically represents passion. By contrast, the figures themselves—composed of a complex “tapestry” of white, blue, yellow, and black—stand as a calm center, suggesting peace found within chaos. The technique creates a tactile surface that conveys strength and resilience. The scratched lines across the canvas may represent the “noise” of the world, which the figures transcend through their connection.
Obert Jongwe, born in 1980 in Zimbabwe, became interested in drawing at an early age through school assignments. From the moment he began to take painting seriously, he knew he was fulfilling his destiny. He worked hard on this new path, despite facing difficult times. Until 2012, his works depicted the native scenes around him in a more complex way, reflecting the world as he saw it—with traditional and rural surroundings in tension with his increasingly Western-influenced environment and lifestyle. His distinctive scratched finish is now present in all his works and has become a highly recognizable signature. He applies this technique as he completes each piece, sometimes with closed eyes, as he knows the subject so well. Through this process, he emphasizes the energy field, or “aura,” of each character or body. Obert joined Rossouw Modern in 2004, and since then his work has been exhibited in major galleries across Africa, including the Zimbabwe National Gallery, and acquired by collectors of modern art. In 2023, he spent five months in the USA on a spiritual and inspirational journey that significantly influenced his compositions. He is now also represented by the Dragonfire Gallery on the Oregon coast.
“The love of my soul”, oil on canvas (90x120cm)