The Journey Within: Lizette Chirrime Debuts Solo Exhibition of Transformative Textile Art in Cape Town

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. This well-known textile artist and fashion designer goes beyond traditional limits. They explore themes of healing, identity, and resilience.

Born in rural Mozambique, Chirrime overcame a traumatic childhood to become an internationally recognised artist. It has turned into 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
• USA
• South Africa

Exploring the Medium: African Prints and Textile Narratives

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
• The Layers of My Soul – a melding of art and fashion symbolising the freedom of self-expression.

A Personal and Artistic Transformation Through Textiles

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. 

Here’s the information in a table format: