Grain of the Past, Seeds of the Future

The Vault – Linking worlds through art

The Silo Hotel is a living art gallery. Just making your way from the underground car park to the hotel, you connect with the works of artist Wilfred Timire – where moments on the streets of Harare are sewn together on sackcloth, adding life to the industrial functionality of The Vault, a boutique gallery inside the hotel.

His exhibition, “Grain of the Past, Seeds of the Future: The Art of Wilfred Timire,” is a personal expression of the human condition. Using recycled materials, Timire captures the ordinary, sewing layers and textures in his interpretation of people and places.

Michael Jacobs, The Silo Hotel’s Art Curator, describes Timire’s work as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all aspects of existence, highlighting the significance of the heritage of the building that houses both The Silo Hotel and The Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary African Art), which was once a granary.

He says, “In its former life, the building housed grain, a symbol of communal effort. Within these same walls, the sackcloth transforms into a medium of art, bridging the past and present in a dialogue that invites contemplation.”

An Artist’s Journey

Wilfred was raised in Ruwa, a town outside Harare. As a child, he loved drawing but struggled to focus on academics at school. He studied for an art diploma, and while he tried his luck as a “Kombi Conductor”, he was always drawn back to his creative calling.

His artistic approach is rooted in observing and investigating his environment. He weaves everyday items into detailed tapestries that reflect daily experiences — people catching taxis, sitting at a tavern, playing soccer, the local hairdresser, a “Slay Queen”.

He says, “Things are tough in the ghetto, which is where I am from. People live each day without guaranteeing where their next meal is coming from. It’s all about surviving the journey.”

Wilfred’s creativity was informed by what was available, and this inspired a new, creative interpretation of perceiving the world.

“At the time I didn’t have paints and brushes to make art, so I had to use materials that I could find in the streets and put things together, and that’s how I came up with this idea.”

His talent was recognised in 2021 when he, along with Franklyn Dzingai, received the prestigious artHARARE Art Prize. An art residency at Gallery 1957 in Accra, Ghana, introduced him to a wider creative community and gave him exposure to the international art world.

“Winning the artHARARE prize was a big deal. I met a lot of artists in Ghana who shared their work, it was a good experience for me.”

In addition to the current exhibition at The Silo Hotel, Wilfred was one of the artists represented by artHARARE to take part in the 1-54 annual contemporary art fair held at Somerset House in London from 10-13 October.

Image by Nii Odzenma and Gallery 1957

Elevating Emerging Talents

Recognising African artists like Alfred Timire has always been central to the vision of The Royal Portfolio. The 2017 opening of The Silo Hotel expanded this opportunity, giving it status as one of Cape Town’s finest “art hotels.”

The Silo Hotel’s art collection combines both emerging talents and well-known artists. It highlights the work of Mohau Modisakeng, Cyrus Kabiru, Musa N. Nxumalo, Jody Paulsen, and Zanele Muholi, among many others. Each room features carefully selected pieces juxtaposed against the beautiful backdrop of a working port city and bustling waterfront.

Guests can also book an art tour with Michael Jacobs, with a number of options available, including bespoke tours through the city, based on a guest’s particular interest in discovering the Cape Town art scene.

Michael advises a good starting point for any art lover staying at The Silo Hotel would be popping down to The Vault or up to the pool deck to view Wilfred Timire’s latest pieces.

He says, “Wilfred Timire’s art challenges us to see beyond the surface, to recognise the layers of meaning that reside in the materials and the space around us.”

For Art Tour Bookings or to find out more about the Wilfred Timire exhibition, contact Michael Jacobs on:

Tel: +27 21 670 0500
Email: michael@thesilohotel.com