Discover the talent and resilience of Lizette Chirrime through her textile art and fashion.

The Journey Within, a solo exhibition showcasing African artist Lizette Chirrime’s transformative textile artworks and one-of-a-kind garments, opened on 10 February 2025 at HUB Gallery in Cape Town. The work of this celebrated textile artist and fashion designer transcends traditional boundaries to explore themes of healing, identity and resilience.

Born in rural Mozambique, Chirrime overcame a traumatic childhood to become an internationally recognised artist, a journey that reflects her unwavering spirit and dedication to her craft. Her work has been showcased in prestigious galleries and exhibitions around the world, including in Germany, Portugal, Norway, Turkey, the USA and South Africa.

Through her medium of African prints and textiles, Chirrime creates large-scale abstract works on canvas. Incorporating hessian, shweshwe and capulanas (a traditional Mozambican sarong), she weaves colour and form into compelling narratives. ‘My work is my voice – a story of resilience, a message of healing and a celebration of the beauty that radiates from within,’ she says. ‘I feel like a vessel through which the work flows. I receive the message, and my role is to bring it to life on the canvas.’

The exhibition features several pivotal pieces on display and for sale. These include ‘The Book of Ndimande’, a tribute to Chirrime’s heritage and the unbroken spirit of African royalty; ‘Africa-Sangue-Nâo-lenta’, a powerful statement calling for peace and unity across the continent; and ‘The Layers of My Soul’, a melding of art and fashion symbolising the freedom of self-expression.

Chirrime’s journey into garment-making began as a personal endeavour, as she sewed custom pieces for special occasions. The striking nature of her creations soon captured the attention of her community, inspiring her to establish a business that would support her art career. Some of her one-of-a-kind garments, crafted with the same imaginative spirit and meticulous attention to detail that characterises her artwork, will take centre stage at a fashion show on Friday 21 February.

The Journey Within is an invitation to connect with the raw and transformative power of art. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Lizette Chirrime’s remarkable works and the profound stories they tell.

Exhibition

Where: HUB Gallery, Union House, 25 Commercial Street, Cape Town

When: 10 February to 25 March 2025

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09h00-16h00

Fashion show

Where: HUB Gallery, Union House, 25 Commercial Street, Cape Town
When: 21 February 2025

Time: 16:00

Follow the artist on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l27chirrime/

See https://www.instagram.com/house_union_block/ and https://houseunionblock.co.za/ for more information on HUB.