Zimbabwe’s Cheuka Harare Art Fair: A Mirror of Creative Resurgence

May 28, 2025

The National Arts Merit Award (Nama) recipient for the Best Visual Art Exhibition, Admire Kamudzengerie, has described the Cheuka Harare Art Fair, which took place at the Harare Showgrounds, as a chance for both local art enthusiasts and curators to delve into the rich cultural variety within the artistic sector.

Kamudzengerere, who was a co-organizer, stated that individuals should attend in large groups to back future installations of the art exhibition.

He mentioned that the Harare Agricultural Show Grounds typically attracted over 200,000 individuals within just one week for various events. He also noted that the Cheuka Harare Art Fair overlapped with this massive gathering known as Nama23.

The fair has its roots in the Shona word “cheuka,” meaning to reflect, look back, or rethink.

This invites us to take a moment and consider: to look back at how far Zimbabwean art has progressed, to cherish its current state, and to envision ambitiously what lies ahead for it.

“Our strategy wasn’t to produce a particular creative output, but rather to provide various curators with the chance to showcase the diverse cultural artworks they could find within their vicinity,” explained Kamudzengerere.

Our approach is inspired by the Cape Town Art Fair, a significant exhibit that showcases randomly selected artworks from Africa and around the world. We’ve gathered creations from various artist-run venues with the purpose of guiding and enhancing artists’ skills as well as nurturing their talents strategically.

Galleries operate as commercial establishments protected by various regulations, including the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, along with privacy obligations. These spaces can be challenging to access; therefore, the Cheuka Harare Art Fair offers greater opportunities for numerous visual artists to gain recognition.

The Cheuka Art Fair emerged not merely as an exhibit but as a vibrant repository of narratives, feelings, politics, identities, and cultural legacy. Every painting, statue, display, or show stands as evidence of the tenacity and progression of Zimbabwe’s artistic spirit amidst financial, societal, and governmental hurdles.

Merilyn Mushakwe noted that the first-ever art fair mirrors numerous well-established exhibitions and events worldwide.

“We aim to acknowledge the creative output from various studios and collectives within Harare and across the entire country. Therefore, the Cheuka Harare Art Fair serves as an opportunity that both local and international artists should seize,” stated Mushakwe.

At the Cheuka Harare Art Fair, visitors could explore various exhibitions like the Mapondera Collection, featuring pieces from artists such as Kombo Chapfika, Amanda Shingirai Mushate, and Tamary Kudita. Another highlight was Gallery 33.0 with its “Creating Space” focus, presenting work by Kundai Nathan, Shalom Kufakwatenzi, Mercy Moyo, and Primrose Chiringandu. Meanwhile, at Bepa Gallery, under the theme “Construct,” one could admire creations by Lomedy Mhako, Zibusiso Tshuma, Kressiah Mukwazhi, Samurai Farai, and Ishmael Hajea Mposa.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *