Often drawing on classic compositions from the old masters of European art history, Richard Mudariki reinterprets these iconic scenes with his own cast of human and animal characters, constructing a mise-en-scène which re-situates the drama within a contemporary Southern African social context. He tackles a wide range of political and social debates with an arresting and unique visual language characterised by bright colours, theatrical compositions and allegorical use of symbolism. Richard Mudariki studied under the mentorship of renowned painters Helen Lieros and Greg Shaw in Harare and is now based in Cape Town. He has held several solo shows to date, including a mid-career retrospective organised by Sanlam Bank, Cape Town (2017). Most recently his work has been included in Five Bhobh: Painting at the End of an Era, Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town (2018-2019). Mudariki’s work is included in numerous collections, including Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town; The Bruce Campbell Smith Collection, Cape Town and The Museum of Modern Art – Equatorial Guinea, Malabo.