Cheuka is a Shona word that refers to the observation or noticing of both tangible and intangible things that surround us.

Look; the act of noticing, noting, remarking, or observing; observation by the senses or intellect; cognizance;

Cheuka Harare Art Fair (CHAF). This inaugural art fair, a brave artist-led initiative, (held 27 February 2025 to 1st March 2025 at the Andy Miller Hall, Harare Showgrounds), is the ongoing brainchild of Admire Kamudzengerere, Wallen Mapondera, Merilyn Mushakwe, and the first curator of the art fair is Laura Fungai Ganda.

Having recently visited FNB art fair in Johannesburg, and on looking back at the more recent experience that was Cheuka Harare Art Fair 2025 as I belatedly write this blog, I am doubly impressed that CHAF’s programme, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, boldly presented itself with a refreshing, almost naive enthusiasm, flying in the face of some concerned opinions that the organizers might not be able to pull off this brave inaugural offering!

At CHAF we saw teamwork and creativity, with well considered layouts of booths, light and art….each booth containing a diverse offering of thought-provoking art.

It’s turned out to be interesting to write this blog on CHAF after my experience at FNB art fair.

From FNB, second year running, I came away more subdued than after FNB 2024. Feeling uninspired, even unfulfilled, by the offered art and also wondering how many of those people who attended FNB actually looked at the art, actually read the artist manifestos or Gallery statements- lots of selfies and sipping of wine though!!! (Having said that, a positive highlight of visiting FNB was in attending the extra art itinerarys organised by Capital Art and Soul Traveller Tours as per this photo- more about those wonderful experiences in my forthcoming FNB blog…)

But, back to my focus for this blog … back to CHAF, Cheuka Harare Art Fair, where the booths and art came together with generous collaboration by the organizers and all artists, each helping the other to erect and hang boards and artworks to present a united art display. Even luminaries such as Tapfuma Gutsa popped by our Burnt Offerings Collective to lend a hand in placing and hanging Johnson Zuze’s “bottle birds”!!! So appreciated thank you Tapfuma. Somehow, on an extremely limited budget, with much goodwill, generosity and the expertise of Mr Gweshe; amidst the lending of hammers and donations of nails, (in true Zimbabwean style), the show pulled itself together! A tribute to the vision of the organizers.

CHAF embraced a vibrant showcase of Zimbabwean art, bringing together a diverse selection of galleries, visual artists and collectors. In some cases enthusiasm more than compensated for some lack of professionalism – in fact that even added to the experience of viewing genuine effort, engaging with heartfelt artists offerings, not a polished manicured experience but an art experience with body and fibre to chew on.

Cheuka provided a platform for both established and emerging artists to present their works. Painting, performance art, sculpture, digital art, and installations, plus thought-provoking panel discussions, reflected art trends and challenges in the Zimbabwean art landscape. 

The Cheuka manifesto, ‘noticed’ by Johnson Zuze….

Opening remarks were by Raphael Chikukwa, Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe…….

Exhibitors:

Animal Farm (Admire Kamudzengerere, Tanyse Van Vuuren)

Post Studio Arts Collective (Merilyn Mushakwe)

The Mapondera Collection (Peggy Mapondera)

Gallery 33.0 (Laura Fungai Ganda)

Chitungwiza Artists Collective

Mbayiwa Studio (Hugh and Lionel Mbayiwa)

Munwahuku Collective/Hukuimwe Collective (Tapfuma Gutsa)

Wailers Studio (Sky Salanje)

Tarisa Studio, (Gareth Nyandoro)

Burnt Offerings Collective; Lin Barrie, (paintings, fibre art, and installation art) Johnson Zuze (wire and found objects art) and Kelli Barker (painting, make up and body art, film)

Nhaka Gallery

Bepa Gallery (Jo Powell and Josefina Pierucci …)

catincatabacaru ?

A medley of Gallery flyers from some of the participating galleries, and some of my own photographs, such inspiration at every turn….

Gallery 33.0 at Cheuka…

Wonderful Fibre Art at Gallery 33.0…..

Bepa Gallery at Cheuka…..

Bepa Gallery art booth….

Nhaka Gallery at Cheuka….

Wailers Studio (with Sky Salanje)

Tarisa Art Studio….

Wilfred Timire, love this collage work…

Burnt Offerings Collective, (Lin, Johnson and Kelli), at Cheuka

Burnt Offerings Collective, founded 2023, was honoured to exhibit at Cheuka..

Cheuka Burnt Offerings collective viewed by George Masarira….

And our art booth was visited by Zimbabwean writer, master wordsmith Tinsashe Muchuri –

Post Studio Arts Collective, vibrant layers of art….

Pardon Mapondera creates powerful cultural symbols from mayonnaise jars; are these traditional lamps with wicks to illuminate our stories? Or fuses ready to ignite elemental questions in the minds of viewers?! Mentioned in Art Re-View Zim by art writer Nyadzombe Nyamapenza..

Mbayiwa Studio, Hugh at Cheuka….

a CHEUKA movie

The programme….

Thursday 27 Feb 1200-1400: VIP Preview/1400-1900: Public Preview

Friday 28 February 1000-1900: Public Preview and panel discussions:

1200-1300: Building an International Career (Moderator; Vongai Sibanda)

1500-1600: Artists Run Spaces as a Breeding Space for New Generation of Artists in Zimbabwe. (Moderator: Laura Fungai Ganda)

Saturday 1 March 1000-1630: Public Preview and panel discussions:

1200-1300 Contemporary African Art and its place on the International Art Market

Parallel spaces that provide alternative options and recycling, an Art Conversation by Admire Kamudzengerere, Isra El-beshir and Prof. Sandy de Lissovoy, moderated by Moffat Takadiwa…….

1500-1600 Art panel…Collecting and Art Patronage, investing in Art….

Kelli Barker and George Masarira participating in the panel discussions…

Here is a video of Chitungwiza Artist Collective at Cheuka…

Mbayiwa Studios and Burnt Offerings Johnson Zuze wireworks video…

So you’ll see in that previous video an image of Johnson Zuze’s wire and found objects artwork “Memory of the Ancestors”, a tribute to the late Helen Lieros of Gallery Delta, (now Nhaka Gallery). Here is a close view…..

Video, animal farm artist residency printmaking….

my photos of the varied and powerful art booths ….

here is a detail from one of my favourite paintings, Admire’s mermaid… last seen at his solo show at the National Gallery…

Powerful Cheuka performance art by Nothando Chiwas, taking water and earth…to create mud, kneading into the soil… The mud being elemental connection to the earth, memory….here is a collage of the performance art, photos taken from Chaf2025 Instagram

Before smearing soil on her body, Notie laments the travails of the earth, I see her as dragging a heavy load of consumerism behind her, teetering in high heels and construction helmut…..bringing to our gaze the recognition that we need to connect with and protect the land. (Looking on are Michele Sandoz, Admire (Nhaka) and Julia Mama….)

More photos to come as they are edited, meanwhile we can’t wait for the next iteration of Cheuka in 2026!!

As an added thought, traditional zimbabwean food available at the Harare Showgrounds during the art fair was truly delicious, local and healthy, for those in the know…..chicken, goat, millet, sorghum…. (and gluten free!!)

Cheuka…Take Note!!!

Whilst this blog took me so long to publish, it was actually fortuitous in that I could compare the larger FNB art Fair which I recently attended, and which truly emphasised to me what a great initial effort the Zimbabwean CHAF was – such a vision of Zimbabwean hope and creativity.

The format of CHAF, small but smart and powerful within a limited budget, was truly a winner which got people’s attention !!

Quality not quantity – and dedicated visitor interaction with galleries and artists on display. Thank you, CHAF 2025

Sponsors of Cheuka Art Fair : FedEx, Zimbabwe German Society (Goethe Centrum), Koovha, Mastreetz, JOINAI, ekt Studio, Hunting Lion Security, Denga Visuals, Animal Farm, Post Studio Arts Collective

All photos taken by Lin Barrie unless otherwise credited.