Njelele Art Station opened its second exhibition on Wednesday night entitled Home Bitter Sweet Home by Shannon Murphy.

The exhibition is a collection of experimental sculptural pieces including Murphy’s Nest Series, Free like a Bird and Philemon.

“Free like a Bird is an exploration of freedom from self-limitation, the unanimous struggle that many people suffer at some point in their lives and feel powerless to overcome,” said Murphy.

Murphy’s Nest Series explores her ongoing search for a sense of space, place and belonging amidst the economic, agrarian and socio-political milieu of Zimbabwe in recent years. Each nest represents a moment in Murphy’s life: First Love Nest, Settle Down Snare and Your Body is Your Temple  all question domesticity, entrapment, nurture, security and refuge.

Murphy used found objects and recycled material such as cloth, barbed wire, wires from burnt tyres, wood and copper.

Fellow artist Masimba Hwati officially opened the exhibition. He praised Murphy for the way “she manages to balance beauty and vulnerability.”

Shannon Murphy is a mixed media artist who explores various materials such as paint, clay, wood, metal, found objects, photographs and drawing tools. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, she studied a Visual Arts Diploma in Brisbane, Australia. She has had two solo shows in Brisbane and has participated in several group shows both in Brisbane and Harare. In 2007, she received the Fusions Conceptual Art award in Australia. She has carried out several public art commissions.

Njelele Art Station can be found at 131 Kaguvi Street. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10m to 4pm. Home Bitter Sweet Home runs until 14 September.