Interfacing Artistic Freedom, Censorship, and Pedagogy: An Interview With Artist-Teacher Chikonzero Chazunguza

Artistic freedom and censorship are correlated constructs that are overtly and covertly applied, arguably, for the proper functioning of society. This is reflected in the cliché “the more censorship there is, the less freedom is accorded to the artist.” While the artist demands their artistic freedom as espoused in democratic principles, the censor argues that it is their obligation to control the content of artistic expression for various reasons. The ensuing contention impacts on curricula content and teachers’ pedagogical initiatives. In this paper, I explore the views of a renowned Zimbabwean contemporary visual artist-teacher, Chikonzero Chazunguza, on the interconnectedness of the social pillars of artistic freedom, censorship, and pedagogy, and their benefit to art education. I attempt to decipher the nexus between censorship and artistic freedom.