Charles Fernando

Charles Fernando (1941-1995) was a Zimbabwean abstract painter and jazz musician. His style was greatly influenced by the music he played, and showed similarities to musical symbols and notes as well. His work can be found in the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

References

• Biographical sketch

Charles’ family came from Mozambique, but he grew up in Mbare a ghetto of Harare. His greatest painting ever was “Sound”, the low note “E” painted in vibrant colours in circles. Some of his friends that he grew up with were; Christopher Chabhuka who was also an artist and Jazz pianist. Christopher’s was well known for his metal “Cockerel” also exhibited at the National gallery of Zimbabwe. Satcha (Tendai Silas Machakaire) was one of Charles’ closest friends. He is Zimbabwe’s first Black inventor who invented amongst other things; Variable Valve Timing System for four stroke engines, Inline Roller Skates for Figure Skating. In an interview in 1965 by the Harare Broadcasting Station, Satcha said that the future cars will drive on water (Hydrogen-Fuel Cell System being used today). He solved the problem of mixing Ethanol and Diesel by mixing them as vapours in the cylinder.

Persondata
Name	Fernando, Charles
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1941
Place of birth
Date of death	1991
Place of death