Friday, 29 March 2024

Textile Details

'Economic Situation of Zimbabwe ', by Melody Moyo. (Photo: Ukuthula Trust)
'Economic Situation of Zimbabwe ', by Melody Moyo. (Photo: Ukuthula Trust)

 

Title of Textile:Economic Situation of Zimbabwe
Maker: Melody Moyo
Country of Origin: Zimbabwe
Year Produced: 2016
Size (cm): 55cm (w) x 60cm (l)
Materials: Cotton and wool
Type of Textile: Arpillera
Description:

In February 2016 the Zimbabwean Government declared a state of emergency in response to a prolonged drought. Stemming from El Niño - a cyclical weather pattern of warming in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, more severe than usual – this drought resulted in crop failure, food shortages, an economic slump and severe hardship for people already living a precarious existence.

In this arpillera, Melody depicts the reality of life for the rural poor in her local area. The image of the bank with doors shut, flanked by four community members unable to gain entrance, conveys the inaccessibility of the bank to locals and the worsening economic situation.

Four years later, following El-Nino induced poor rainfall, Cyclone Idai, elections and the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the economic crisis has deepened. With inflation running at 500 percent in February 2020, an unemployment rate of 90 percent, soaring food prices, it is feared that the measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 will impact most severely on those already living a hand to mouth existence.

Aljazeera (30th March 2020), 'We'll die of hunger first': Despair as Zimbabwe lockdown begins

Owner: Enyandeni Peace Centre collection
Location: Conflict Textiles store
Original / Replica: Original
Photographer: Ukuthula Trust
Provenance:



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