Is Tvind exploiting Zimbabwes world-famous sculptors?
At first sight it may seem like a ‘humanitarian cause’. ‘Friends Forever’ is a scheme to sell sculptures by Zimbabwean artists – promoted by Tvind. But on close inspection it looks highly commercial. Specially-commissioned art from Zimbabwe is being put up for sale by the Teachers Group in Europe and the United States at extortionate prices up to 10,000 Euros each – and the Teachers Group is keeping most of the money. Exhibitions have been staged in the USA, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy and the Museum of Modern Art in Moscow. The sculptures are for sale on the organisation’s website, at the kind of prices only rich collectors can afford. Who profits from this scheme? The Zimbabwe-registered company makes much of its association with Humana, but on a close reading there is no mention of any humanitarian purpose. In fact hardly any of the money earned goes to African artists. The Teachers Group member in charge of Friends Forever is Sune Jørgensen (below), long-established pres
