Harare Hosts Inaugural Cheuka Harare Art Fair, Highlighting Independent Curator Laura Fungai Ganda
Harare recently hosted the debut edition of the Cheuka Harare Art Fair (CHAF), an artist-led initiative founded by Admire Kamudzengere of Animal Farm Artist Residency and Wallen Mapondera with Merilyn Mushakwe of Post Studio Arts Collective. Held at Andy Miller Hall in Harare Showgrounds, CHAF is reportedly Zimbabwe’s first curated art fair, marking a milestone for the country’s visual arts scene.
One of the standout figures at the event was independent curator Laura Fungai Ganda, who was appointed to the critical role of curator. Ganda, an arts management consultant and researcher, has been making significant strides in Zimbabwe’s art scene. Originally from Nyazura and now based in Rusape, she has dedicated her career to supporting contemporary art and culture in Zimbabwe and beyond. She is the founder of Creative Lounge Trust and recently launched Gallery 33.0, an initiative focused on creating space for women’s art.
Ganda’s journey into curatorship began with an internship at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ), which led her to transition from a career-oriented artist to arts marketing. She curated her first event, the International Images Film Festival for Women, in 2016 and has since worked alongside leading curators such as Fadzai Muchemwa, Zvikomborero Mandangu, Valerie Sithole, Doris Kampira, Gina Maxim, and Dana Hwavira, among others.
Her curatorial practice emphasizes community-based initiatives, aligning with the philosophy of Koyo Kouoh, executive director of Zeitz MOCAA and curator of the 2026 Venice Biennale, who encourages curators to “dig where you stand.” Ganda has successfully curated exhibitions such as The Contours of Resistance (2022), Zvepano (2022), The Cocoon: A Be-You-Till-Full Place (2024), and The Art and Ecology Laboratory of Ideas Exhibition (2024). Her work also extends to skills development projects like The Collaborative Language of Printmaking workshop and a collaborative design initiative for public urban spaces.
Despite the challenges of being an independent curator in Zimbabwe—including limited funding and accessibility to exhibition venues—Ganda remains committed to her craft. At CHAF, her Gallery 33.0 booth featured works by four female artists: Kundai Nathan, Shalom Kufakwatenzi, Mercy Moyo, and Primrose Chingandu, showcased under the theme Surgence.
As an emerging curator, Ganda continues to foster inclusivity and artistic collaboration, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s visual arts landscape benefits from her dedication and innovative approach.
