Cynthia Zukas
Cynthia Zukas (born in 1931) is a fine artist and an advocate for visual arts in Zambia. She is wife of veteran politician and freedom fighter, Simon Zukas.
Early life
Cynthia was born in 1931 in Cape Town, South Africa.[1]
Education
She graduated with a BA in Fine Art from Cape Town University. Cynthia arrived in Zambia in 1965 and became involved in the country’s cultural and artistic movements including: Art Centre Foundation, Mpapa Gallery, National Museums Board, Zambia National Arts Council. In 1986 she became Chairperson of Lechwe Trust. In 2000, Cynthia was the winner of the National Arts Council “Ngoma award for outstanding contribution in the development of the visual arts”. In 2011, she received the Mama Julia Chikamuneka Award for "recognition of commitment to a just society". In 2012 she received from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain an MBE award for “promoting visual arts in Zambia” and being “instrumental in creating an historical archive of Zambian art spanning more than 50 years.” Cynthia is a practicing painter and printmaker.
Personal life
Cynthia and her husband Simon met in London in 1952 while Simon was in exile and the two married three years later.
Community initiatives
In 1986, Cynthia formed Lechwe Trust, a charitable trust for the visual arts in Zambia. Other founding members included Henry Tayali (1943 – 1987) and Bente Lorenz (1922 – 2011).[1]
