On Collecting Art with Greatjoy Ndlovu

‘On Collecting Art’

A series of transcripts seeking to encourage you to collect art. If you have collected art and wish to share your experience, please write to us so that we can feature you and the piece of art.

It is October 2022, and I am in Florence, Italy. I’m standing in a queue with my cousin and her friends whom I have inherited for this very short and wholesome trip post pandemic travel bans. We are eagerly watching people enjoying their pizzas and discussing what we are going to order based on their expressions as they indulge into their food. I’m happy in this moment, and everything feels perfect. I recognise within this moment that perfection does truly exist, in moments and this too is also fine. The voices of other travellers, and locals sing in the background whilst I am dipping in and out of conversation and people watching. As we draw nearer to the till, I notice my surname though in a different and familiar language. Ndlovu. In amazement, I’m drawn to the poster and quickly turn to my cousin, letting her know that there will be an exhibition whilst we are here, where an artist all the way from home will be showcasing his work. I create no room to negotiate the itinerary and let her know that I will be going. Fortunately, she is in agreement and after moving plans around, we have agreed to head over to the exhibition the following evening after a trip to Cinque Terre.

The day arrives. I avoid skipping through the excitement of enjoying Cinque Terre in all its glory. We enjoy fried sardines by the beach after embracing the scenery with me reminding my dear cousin that we have somewhere to be later on in the evening.

Later, we trot towards the venue and are welcomed by a bright room drawing our attention to paintings, photographs, and people enjoying the beauty before our eyes. At this point in my life, I don’t know a lot about art, aside from the felt sense of knowing how deeply I feel peace when emersed in it. As we enter the exhibition, to my left is a largely sized painting of a woman most people from the countries within Southern Africa may attribute to being a grandmother. I remember my late grandmother in this moment, following her passing only a year prior. I stare into layers of the protagonist and the women surrounding her, dancing with the memories I have left of my grandmother and pay my respects. I walk out of the daze shortly after, so that I can also be present in real time. Another privilege I transition to is that Greatjoy Ndlovu, the artist of the works is within reach. Following a brisk introduction without wanting to take too much of his time, I share that I am in awe of his work and have in common our surnames. We touch briefly on our country of origin, Zimbabwe. Following this, I continue to walk through the room marvelling through the intricate details of God’s plan and the privilege to be able to be enjoying Italy whilst being emersed in art that I so closely relate to.

We have many memories, though there are some that last a lifetime and I attribute this experience as being a timeless one, for it reminds me of my strong “why”. Why art means so much to me or why art is an escape for me.

A few years later, I am eagerly waiting for my delivery. My very own piece by Greatjoy to one day adorn my home. I plan on placing this piece near a bouquet of fresh flowers. I am certain that guests will stop in their tracks and be offered a moment to pause. This piece will certainly remind me of a lovely time in Florence, and bumping into beautiful art by the gifted Greatjoy Ndlovu.

Where can I find the artist?

Instagram: Greatjoy_N

Website: www.greatjoyart.com