We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lennox Makurumidze a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lennox , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Building true confidence as an artist is tough, but it’s definitely possible. It’s that part of you that’s always questioning your work , not because you doubt yourself, but because you want to make sure you’re doing your best. Only you can really know if you’ve achieved that.
For me, confidence came from making promises to myself and keeping them. I told myself I would create great things, and by following through, I built up undeniable proof of my abilities. This self trust grew because I consistently met the goals I set. Confidence, in my experience, comes from keeping promises to yourself. It shows your mind and body that you can be trusted to achieve your dreams.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I would describe myself as a ‘pixel poet’—someone who blends photography and poetry to amplify African voices and shine a light on important social issues. My work focuses on creating visual narratives that challenge perceptions and provoke thought. I’m passionate about capturing authentic African realities, free from stereotypes and misinterpretations, whether through photojournalism or conceptual photography.
I founded the Harvest Project, a collaborative initiative that merges poetry and photography, aimed at telling African stories in a profound and compelling way. I’ve had the privilege of showcasing my work in exhibitions at prestigious venues like artHARARE and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. My photography has also been featured in publications such as Newsday, Harare Magazine, and GQ South Africa. Being part of the Montgomery Photo Festival further reinforced the global reach of my work.
Ultimately, my goal is to use my artistry to celebrate the richness and see complexity of contemporary Zimbabwe, inviting audiences to engage with the multifaceted narratives of the Zimbabwean experience.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
In one of my poems, I say:
“There is a cocaine type of art that comes to existence when I’m hungry. There is high-grade, purely addictive substance that is made when Struggle is my dealer. And why it’s hard to create from a place of joy.”
The first quality is hunger both figuratively and literally. My hunger has always been a powerful motivator in my creation. There is a hunger to create something better and greater than anything I’ve ever seen, and a literal hunger to survive. These elements have brought me peace in understanding the creative process and the business of creativity. One of my favorite lines from a movie says, “Showbiz is the show and the business, and I want to be good at both.”
The second quality is curiosity—the need and desire to learn more. As a creative, you need to consistently learn and fall in love with the process of learning. This is not something I’ve mastered, but I’ve realized it’s essential to create work that surpasses you and leaves a legacy.
Lastly, you have to be a doer. Consistently push yourself out of your comfort zone and seek uncomfortable spaces to visualize something completely different out of nothing but rebellion and scraps. Take initiative because, sadly, no one’s coming to save you. If you don’t save yourself, you will remain in the same position. There needs to be consistent action towards your dreams, goals, feelings, thoughts, and desires.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Oh my word, that would easily be The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. This book does an incredible job of describing the journey to finding creative peace. As creative entrepreneurs, we are often troubled creatures, constantly searching for ways to calm ourselves. The Creative Act feeds the soul of a creative, helping us figure out ways to improve ourselves and our lives without taking us on a roller coaster of confusion.
One line that changed my life is, “The audience comes last.” This wisdom helped me create from within, with purity and honesty that is unapologetically authentic.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennox-makurumidze-1259521b3?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lennoxmakurumidze?si=8Asns3dRdcIT5AYj
Image Credits
Lennox Makurumidze Photographer
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
