Joshua Madalitso Chiundiza is a Poet, Emcee, Audiovisual Storyteller, and Creative Industries Consultant based in Harare working to re-imagine concepts of traditional African storytelling, exploring themes of art, science, and technology, viewed mostly from his Chewa, Shona, and Nguni heritage.

By earGROUND

Often taking on the form of sound art, performance Installation, text, and music recording / performance, Joshua’s work is forging a path bent on preserving culture without being conservative.

In recent years his work has featured internationally at leading museums, galleries, and festivals including the ZKM Center for Art & Media (Germany), Videonale 18 (Germany), National Arts Festival (South Africa), Festival Afropixel (Senegal), Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival (South Africa) and The Overkill Festival (Netherlands). His most recent work ‘Lines’, a performance Installation piece with Swiss DJ and interactive designer Yann Longchamp and transmedia visual artist Sophie Le Meillour, was sold out on both nights at the Antigel Festival in Geneva (Switzerland) in January 2022.

Joshua Chiundiza works from his Husikisiki studio

‘The performance is dream-like. With a stage design that looks like a splintered crate and a visual projection both abstract and visceral (“shoutout to Sophie Le Meillour on set design” Joshua mentions) everything is hypnotically repetitive, and Yann finds a way to shake listeners out of expectation. And the values are human. Joshua’s spoken word returns again and again to the “so many lines” that seem to separate us, lamenting those who have “suffered the sword” and reminding us that, “if you cut me I bleed blood as red as yours.” As Joshua moves back to his chair, puts on his mask, and opens again his book, Yann takes the soundscape to a crescendo of synths and thumping bass. The moment is cathartic. Everyone, for that moment, shared the same awe.’

Christian Askin, Pan African Music

Joshua has also performed alongside renowned music artists such as De La Soul, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Natalie Stewart (Floetry), Akala, and Jah 9. All these experiences, over the past ten years, have contributed immensely to his art practice and have helped him to break through on a global platform.