George Nene

George Nene (1959Oyekan Owomoyela (2002), [https://books.google.com/books?id=ypFWqOJFKPEC&dq=%22george+nene%22+zimbabwe&pg=PA67 Culture and customs of Zimbabwe], Greenwood Press, p67–2005) was one of Zimbabwe's best known artists. In 1988 his contributions to the nationThe world of art: George Nene--artist with hope by Gordon Metz, Zebra's voice. 10 (4) 1983, pages 5-7. Gaborone : National Museum and Art Gallery{{Cite web|url=https://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=George+Nene22|title=Search results for: Nene George, page 1 | Collections Search Center, Smithsonian Institution}}George Nene's Retrospective Exhibition, National Gallery in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. 31 May to 30 June 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://www.zimvibes.com/index.php?ind=reviews&op=entry_view&iden=178|title=Zimbabwe Musical Vibes -Zimvibes|access-date=2009-10-01|archive-date=2011-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718154049/http://www.zimvibes.com/index.php?ind=reviews&op=entry_view&iden=178|url-status=dead}} were memorialized on a Zimbabwean stamp.

His earliest training in art was more than modest, as he first began sketching under the tutelage of South African artist 'Thami'; Thamsanga Mnyele, while serving a prison sentence for armed robbery in Gaborone, Botswana. During that time, he was also a Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) guerrilla. Nonetheless, his art became well known enough that he exhibited at the National Museum as part of a two-man show, while completing his eight-year sentence.Wylie, Diana (2008) [https://books.google.com/books?id=Jnwv6p6Dw88C&q=nene&pg=PA134 Art and Revolution: The Life and Death of Thami Mnyele, South African Artist. Reconsiderations in Southern African History], Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, p.134.

Nene created most of his work in acrylics and watercolor.Keith Bruce, The Herald, 18 May 1990, [http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/frontline-african-artist-goes-on-a-glasgow-voyage-of-discovery-1.576639 Frontline African artist goes on a Glasgow voyage of discovery] Much of George Nene's art was inspired by 'traditional daily life', such as that portrayed on the book cover for "Art from the Frontline: Contemporary Art from Southern Africa"[http://www.frontlinestates.ltd.uk/publications/art-frontline Art from the Frontline: Contemporary Art from Southern Africa - Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183635/http://www.frontlinestates.ltd.uk/publications/art-frontline |date=2016-03-03 }} by Peter Sinclair, Frontline States Ltd (14 Nov 1991), 128 pages. and by religious themes. One example is a mural painted in a small church near Bulawayo, titled "Birth of Christ the King of Peace"{{cite web | url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/78686708@N00/2126132080 | title=Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Frohe Weihnachten | date=20 December 2007 }} Some of his paintings were displayed and sold from the Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre on the outskirts of Bulawayo. Nene's artistic contributions were also recognized by the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe.

In December 2005, Nene died in Gokwe.[http://www.bulawayoarchdiocese.org/newsx.htm Circular Letter to Clergy, Religious and Leaders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725105300/http://www.bulawayoarchdiocese.org/newsx.htm |date=2011-07-25 }} 1/2006, 15 March 2006, Bulawayo Archdiocese.