Online ReporterMaria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
TWO upcoming local exhibitions, featuring Artgal.Online in partnership with Swiss-Zim Heritage, are set to cast a spotlight on the depth and dynamism of Zimbabwean talent before international audiences.
The exhibitions will showcase a diverse range of mediums, including realistic canvases by Nokuthula Mpofu, otherworldly portraits by Florah Maphosa, photorealistic drawings by Willard Mujuru, and fantastical scenes by Keith Zenda, creating a rich and expansive artistic landscape.
The first exhibition will be showcased online, and in Berlin, while the second will run online and in Harare.
Opening on November 28, the first showcase titled ‘Heritage & Horizons’ will be presented both virtually and in-person in Berlin. The exhibition brings together work by established and emerging Zimbabwean artists, positioning them within Berlin’s vibrant art scene as it explores the intersection of history, heritage and material innovation across continents.Founder of Artgal.Online and co-founder of Swiss Zim Heritage Gallery, Dennis Ruf, explained the significance of both exhibitions.“Berlin marks both an end and a beginning. ‘Heritage & Horizons’ closes our 2025 season by bridging continents through art, affirming that heritage is living, transforming and shared.
“It leads directly into our next chapter as we deepen our roots and widen our horizons.”Featured works include mixed-media pieces by Flatter Zenda, including his 2025 composition The Ties that Bind Us, which blends African textiles, geometric motifs and gold accents to symbolise cultural connection and unity.
Barry Lungu’s paintings also feature in the line-up, capturing everyday moments and elevating them to near-mythic significance. As the year comes to a close, Artgal.Online and Swiss-Zim Heritage will present their second exhibition, Roots & Horizons— Christmas Edition, a seasonal showcase available both online and at the Art84 Gallery in Harare. The exhibition will highlight artists whose work reflects heritage, identity, and spiritual renewal, offering a sweeping look at how Zimbabwean creators engage with ancestral roots to forge future pathways.Ruf added: “’Roots & Horizons — Christmas Edition’ is more than an exhibition, it’s a reflection of gratitude.
“As the year closes, we celebrate the artists who remind us of where we come from and the possibilities ahead.
“This season, we wanted to bring art closer to everyone, online and in person, because art unites us. It transcends borders and, like the holidays, invites warmth and shared humanity.”
Award-winning artist Keith Zenda emphasised the significance of showcasing art both online and in person.
“The online platform democratises access— viewers from anywhere can navigate the works at their own pace, zoom into fine details of texture and colour, and even toggle between languages for artist statements. “That flexibility heightens the sense of renewal, letting people see heritage through a modern, interactive lens.“In person at Art84 Gallery, the experience is immersive: you feel the scale of large canvases, notice brushstrokes up close, hear ambient sounds, and engage with fellow visitors and the artists themselves.
Mathew Masinge