Cheuka Harare Art Fair: A Bold New Chapter for Zimbabwean Contemporary Art

Harare recently witnessed the launch of the inaugural Cheuka Harare Art Fair (CHAF), a trailblazing, artist-led initiative that seeks to reshape the local and continental art landscape. Spearheaded by Wallen Mapondera of Post Studio Arts Collective and Admire Kamudzengere of Animal Farm Artist Residency, CHAF was held at the Andy Miller Hall, Harare Showgrounds, from February 27 to March 1, 2025.

Curated by Laura Fungai Ganda, the fair stood as a statement of intent—one that challenges the prevailing norms of the global art world while celebrating the authenticity and vibrancy of Zimbabwean creativity. The event brought together a compelling mix of galleries and collectives, including Post Studio Arts Collective, Mbayiwa Studios, Bepa Gallery, Animal Farm Artist Residency, Catinca Tabacaru Gallery, Gallery 33.0, Nhaka Gallery, Tarisa Art Studios, Munwahuku Collective, Burnt Offering Collective, The Wailers Studio, and Mapondera Collection.

A highlight of the exhibition was the bold move by Catinca Tabacaru Gallery to showcase works by Tapfuma Gutsa, a pioneering figure in Zimbabwean contemporary art. Revered both locally and internationally, Gutsa’s participation was a powerful endorsement of the fair and a symbolic bridge between generations.

Though key players like First Floor Gallery, Village Unhu, artHarare, Mbare Art Space, and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) were notably absent from the exhibition, their representatives attended in solidarity. Esteemed figures such as Marcus Gora (FFG), Moffat Takadiwa (Mbare Art Space), and Fadzai Muchemwa (NGZ) showed up to lend their moral support.

Speaking at the opening, Raphael Chikukwa, NGZ Executive Director and guest of honour, reflected on how long the vision for such a fair had been in discussion. Drawing parallels with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair’s evolution, Chikukwa praised CHAF’s founders for their persistence and commitment, urging stakeholders to ensure the fair continues to grow: “Start and stop will not get us anywhere.”

Chikukwa paid tribute to Gutsa as a “torch bearer,” passing the creative baton to a new generation. His metaphor captured the spirit of CHAF: a handover of responsibility and inspiration to the artists who will shape Zimbabwe’s cultural future.

The three-day event wasn’t just an exhibition but a dynamic space for dialogue. Panels included “Investing in Art” moderated by Plot Mhako, “Collecting and Art Patronage” led by Peggy Mapondera, “Recycling and Sustainability in Art” featuring Moffat Takadiwa, and “Artist-run Spaces as Breeding Grounds for New Talent” with Laura Ganda.

CHAF enters the scene at a time when the African continent is seeing a surge in new art fairs. These include ART X Lagos, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, and FNB Art Joburg. CHAF aligns with emerging platforms like Nigeria’s +234 Art Fair (founded 2024) and South Africa’s RBM Latitudes Art Fair (launched in 2023).

What makes CHAF truly distinct is its origin story. “The idea started with Wallen Mapondera,” Kamudzengere shared. “Then he approached me and we started working on it.” The idea was sparked by a stark reality: Zimbabwean artists often receive more appreciation abroad than at home.

Having represented Zimbabwe at the prestigious Venice Biennial, both Mapondera and Kamudzengere know this struggle firsthand. Their vision for CHAF is more than an event—it’s a reclamation of space and voice. It’s a declaration that Zimbabwean artists deserve to thrive within their own borders.

Celebrated artist Misheck Masamvu once remarked, “We sit at the table but don’t know how to use the tool,” critiquing the limitations imposed on African artists in a post-colonial framework. CHAF flips the script. It’s not just a fair—it’s a creative act of defiance, an ideological breakthrough.

CHAF’s debut wasn’t just a milestone; it was a moment of history in motion. A new, self-defined future for Zimbabwean art has begun—and it’s just getting started.