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Gareth Nyandoro
Zimbabwe, 1982
Gareth Nyandoro is noted for his large works on paper, which often spill out of their two-dimensional format and into installations that include paper scraps and objects found in the markets of Harare, where he lives and works. The artist’s chief source of inspiration is the daily landscape of the city and its residents, both within the local milieu and the larger cultural panorama of Zimbabwe. Inspired by his training as a printmaker, and derived from etching, the artist’s distinctive technique, Kucheka cheka, is named after the infinitive and present tense declinations of the Shona verb cheka, which means ‘to cut’.
He has exhibited at institutions such as Palais de Tokyo, Quetzal Art Centre, Rijksakademie, and Zeitz MOCAA, among others.
His work is part of collections such as MoMA New York, Zeitz MOCAA, Fondation Sindika Dokolo, Instituto Inhotim, Rachofsky Collection, SAM Art Projects and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
Townshop/Township
“Township” is a word rooted in colonial times that has transcended into contemporary Zimbabwe (post-colonial era). At the moment, I hover above like a drone, taking in the current panoramic landscape, which I refer to as “Townshop” (makeshift market stalls on available open spaces). This sight is a familiar trend among developing economies—everyone is trying to survive. Even migrants from developing countries who relocate to Europe often engage in this buying and reselling of trinkets as a means of survival.
The materials chosen for this exhibition mimic the temporary arrangements of urban makeshift markets made from wood, metal scraps, and plastics, adorned with trinkets such as cheap jewelry, locks, hair accessories, cigarettes, and more. These items are arranged in an attractive manner, naturally complementing the hustle and bustle of daily life.
In this exhibition, I have recreated scenes and sounds of prerecorded megaphones mimicking the calls of vendors selling their wares at Bhobho/Gazebo Township. People in all sorts of reflector work suits, customers rushing to grab something to cook for the evening, and Kombi (public transport operators) shouting for passengers all contribute to the atmosphere. The scene is chaotic, yet almost orderly—this is the norm in the Bhobho/Gazebo neighborhood.
Improvised market stalls are dotted on every street corner, mimicking sculpture, performance, and sound (megaphone) art. The landscape, as seen from above, is a mosaic of brown earth, blue, yellow, red, and all sorts of vibrant colors. Whatever one can find is put up for sale—second-hand clothes, bananas in pushing carts. The place is bustling with life and activity.
– Gareth Nyandoro
Gareth Nyandoro
Bhero vendor
2024
Ink on paper mounted on board
124 x 124 x 5 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
Baseball cap stall
2024
Ink on paper mounted on board
124 x 247 x 5 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
TOWNSHOP
2024
Ink on paper mounted on 4 wooden panels
124 x 496 x5 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
$1 FOR 10 bananas
2024
Ink on paper on canvas
180 x 280 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
Emmanuel Carpenters
2024
Mixed technique on canvas
42 x 38 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
Taps the Mechanic
2024
Mixed technique on canvas
42 x 38 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
Seller
2024
Mixed technique on canvas
42 x 38 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
Cabbage vendor and seller
2024
Ink on paper mounted on canvas
235 x 288 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
Junction Tuckshop
2024
Roofing metal sheet, ink on paper mounted on board.
124 x 130 x 26 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
Runner
2024
Ink on paper mounted on canvas
65 x 50 cm
Gareth Nyandoro
Solo exhibitions
2025
Townshop/Township, NF/NIEVES FERNÁNDEZ, Madrid
2024
Pfumvudza, Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK
2022
Suburban Bliss, Althuis Hofland Fine Arts, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2021
Maworks, Van Doren Waxter, New York City NY, USA
2020
Ruwa, Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK
2019
JUGGLING SKILLS, SMAC Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2018
…Read All About, Van Doren Waxter, New York City NY, USA
2017
Stall(s) 0f Fame, Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK
Stall(s) of Fame, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France
2016
Paper Cut, Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK
2015
Gareth Nyandoro, Galerie 23, Stichting Beeldende Kunst, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2013
Weaving Life, Gallery Delta, Harare, Zimbabwe
2012
Mutariri, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Group exhibitions (selection)
2024
Chimera/Kupinda nemenje mudziva: The School of Harare – Zimbabwe Contemporary Painting, Fondation Blachère, Bonnieux, France
2023
Yinka Shonibare: Free The Wind, The Spirit, and The Sun, Stephen Friedman Gallery, London, UK
2022
I See You, Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK
Forever Etched On My Mind, Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK
2019
Art Basel Miami Beach, Tiwani Contemporary, Miami FL, USA
2018
Defying the Narrative: Contemporary Art from West and Southern Africa, Ever Gold [Projects], San Francisco CA, USA
Five Bhobh – Painting at the End of an Era, Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa
For the Love of the Game 1998–2018, Magasins Généraux, Paris, France
Drawing Africa on the Map, Quetzal Art Centre, Vidigueira, Portugal
2017
All Things Being Equals, Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa
2016
A Moment of Grace (part of KALEIDOSCOPE), Modern Art Oxford, Oxford, UK
2015
RijksakademieOPEN 2015, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Pixels of Ubuntu/Unhu, Zimbabwean Pavilion, 56th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
Trek: Following Journeys, SMAC Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2014
RijksakademieOPEN 2014, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Zamboni for the Moose, Juliet Jongma Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2013
Zimbabwean Contemporary Art, Galerie 23, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2011
Colour Africa, Gallery Delta, Munich, Germany
Expression of Zimbabwe, University of Avignon, Avignon, France
2010
Live ‘n’ Direct, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
World Art Print Annual, Lessedra Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
2009
Redefinitions II: Gareth Nyandoro, Masimba Hwati, Munyaradzi Mazarire, Tapfuma Gutsa, Gallery Delta, Harare, Zimbabwe
Ubuntu, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
2008
Thupelo: Found Objects, Cape Town, South Africa
Silver Jubilee of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
2006
Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Awards and residencies
2016
Emerging Voices Award in Art, FT/OppenheimerFunds
SAM Art Projects Residency, Paris, France
2015
Residency, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten (2014–2015), Amsterdam, Netherlands
2012
Expressions of Zimbabwe, University of Avignon, Avignon, France
2010
Artist in Residence, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
1st Prize, Live & Direct exhibition, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare
2009
2nd Prize for Graphic Art, The Land exhibition, Gallery Delta, Harare, Zimbabwe
2008
Artist in Residence, Greatmore Studios, Cape Town, South Africa
2005
Participant, 3rd Batapata International Artists Workshop, Harare, Zimbabwe
Collections
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City NY, USA
Fondation Sindika Dokolo, Luanda, Angola
Inhotim Museum, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Rachofsky Collection, Dallas TX, USA
SAM Art Projects, Paris, France
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), Cape Town, South Africa
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Fondation H, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Gareth Nyandoro. Stall(s) of fame. Palais de Tokyo, Paris. 2017
Gareth Nyandoro. Drawing Africa on the Map. Quinta do Quetzal, Portugal. 2018