The inaugural Cheuka Harare Art Fair (CHAF) took place from the 27th of February the 1st of March 2025 at the Andy Miller Hall in Harare Showgrounds. Marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s contemporary art scene, this event brought together emerging and established visual artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts, aiming to celebrate creativity and foster economic growth in the local art sector. The fair is the brainchild of artists Wallen Mapondera, Admire Kamudzengerere and curator Merilyn Mushakwe, with Laura Ganda serving as the curator for the event. CHAF provided a platform for diverse forms of artistic expression, showcasing the very best in emerging contemporary Zimbabwean art and celebrating some of Africa’s most renowned modern and contemporary visual artists on their home ground. It attracted international collectors, industry professionals and art lovers.
Notable artists such as Tapfuma Gutsa, Terence Musekiwa, Kresiah Mukwazhi, Victor Nyakauru, Nothando Chiwanga, Kundai Nathan and Lin Barrie, among others, showcased their work. Participating galleries included Nhaka Gallery, Bepa Gallery, IGallery33, and the Bucharest-based Catinca Tabacaru Gallery, which exhibited alongside emerging artist-led collectives such as Animal Farm, Tarisai Art Studios, Creative Lounge, Post Studio Arts Collective, Chitungwiza Artists Collective and Munwahuku Collective. The private collection of Peggy Mapondera was also showcased. Panel discussions enriched the fair’s program. Plot Mhako moderated a conversation on investing in art with Peggy Mapondera, James Saruchera and Marcelina Mushore, while fair curator Laura Ganda led a discussion with Admire Kamudzengerere, Merilyn Mushakwe and Wilfred Timire. An artistic performance by Nothando Chiwanga, titled Ancestral Wrath, provided a visceral representation of the emotional burden many carry as they navigate the complexities of heritage. National Gallery of Zimbabwe director, Raphael Chikukwa, gave a keynote speech at the fair, noting the fair a welcomed step for visual artists in Zimbabwe.
The fair’s successes, however, were accompanied by potential areas for improvement, which is to be expected especially with this being the fair’s first edition. The areas of improvement include that firstly, the official website and social media channels lacked comprehensive information about participating artists and galleries, which may have affected potential attendees’ engagement. Secondly, the absence of detailed exhibitor lists in the run up to the fair opening could have impacted the fair’s commercial objectives, as art fairs play a dual role in highlighting creative talent and generating income for sustainability. With that said, establishing a new art fair like CHAF requires a dedicated growth phase of 3–5 years, often without immediate returns for the founders. Many successful fairs secure corporate sponsorships from banks and other commercial entities in exchange for naming rights and financial backing. As CHAF aspires to join the ranks of major African art fairs such as the FNB Joburg Art Fair, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, 1-54 Marrakech and Art X Lagos, securing such strategic partnerships will be essential for long-term sustainability. In the meantime, you can view what took place at CHAF 2025 here.
Globally, art fairs have become entrenched in the art market, despite the rise of digital showrooms and online platforms. When the Covid-19 pandemic forced many fairs to shift online, some believed that the physical format would decline. However, contrary to market expectations, in-person art fairs have continued to thrive. The number of art fairs worldwide has grown exponentially – from 68 fairs in 2005 to 189 in 2012, and over 400 in 2019. While thepandemic led to a temporary decline (with 333 fairs recorded between 2020 and 2023), the numbers are rising again, with over 350 fairs taking place last year. Overall, the Cheuka Harare Art Fair has laid a foundation for curated contemporary art events in Zimbabwe. With continued dedication and strategic planning, it has the potential to become a significant event on the international art calendar.
