African Perspectives in Contemporary Art
African Voices in Contemporary Art at Art International Zurich 2026
ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH is a vibrant platform for contemporary art. As an international fair, it brings together galleries and artists from around the world who are active on the international stage. It presents a diverse selection of artistic styles and cultural perspectives and promotes dialogue between artistic traditions and contemporary practices.
Several participating galleries focus specifically on African artists and the African diaspora, presenting works that explore themes such as identity, heritage, spirituality, and the continent's evolving social realities. The fair's carefully curated exhibitions provide a unique opportunity to experience the diversity and dynamism of contemporary African art within an international context.
Artgal.Online is a virtual gallery based in Thundorf, Switzerland, dedicated to presenting contemporary African art, with a particular focus on artists from Zimbabwe. The platform is designed to be an interface between African cultural heritage and a global audience, showcasing a curated selection of paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works that explore themes such as identity, spirituality, and social awareness. Through its activities, Artgal.Online introduces international audiences to the artistic perspectives of contemporary Africa while highlighting the diversity and creative vitality of Zimbabwe's art scene. In collaboration with the Swiss-Zimbabwean Heritage Gallery, the platform exhibits the work of renowned Zimbabwean artists such as Keith Zenda, Tonderai Mujuru, Florah Maphosa and Willard Mujuru. These artworks illustrate the dynamic interplay between traditional African motifs and contemporary artistic expression. Swiss-Zim Heritage is committed to supporting and promoting African artists. Alongside its established gallery in Gweru, the organisation has opened a second exhibition space in Harare. Designed as a place for encounter and exchange, the new venue reflects the cultural diversity and expressive potential of Zimbabwean art.
Keith Zenda is a multi-award-winning painter who grew up in the rural village of Chirumanzu. Drawing inspiration from the philosophy of Ubuntu, his work encapsulates the spirit of African culture and heritage. Florah Maphosa is a representative of the younger generation of Zimbabwean artists. Her vibrant pieces blend traditional storytelling with a striking contemporary aesthetic. Originally from Gweru, she is currently an artist-in-residence at the Swiss-Zim Heritage Gallery and Studio in Domboshava, Harare. Willard Mujuru delves into the emotional world of childhood, portraying moments of curiosity and contemplation. His work captures their childlike spontaneity as well as the social realities that surround them. Meanwhile, Tonderai Mujuru focuses on Zimbabwe's rich wildlife heritage, creating expressive depictions of animals that celebrate their beauty while drawing attention to the fragility of natural ecosystems. He is renowned for his pastel and charcoal work and is increasingly expanding his practice into oil painting to explore deeper textures and richer colour palettes.
The Brulhart Gallery in Geneva is dedicated to promoting female artists of African and Afro-descendant heritage. It takes a feminist and intercultural approach to curation. It provides a platform for artistic practices exploring themes such as family, history, gender identities, migration and community. By showcasing women artists, particularly women of colour, the gallery challenges their underrepresentation in art collections. The gallery's programme consists solely of monographic and group exhibitions featuring artists of African descent, thereby reinforcing its commitment to feminist artistic discourse. Located in Geneva's international district, the gallery is part of a wider feminist cultural network. In 2023, it established the Feminist Foundation for African Contemporary Art (FFACA) to support artists of African origin and to promote African contemporary art as a vital cultural force.
At ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 2026, the gallery will present works by the following artists:
Theresa Ankomah, a renowned Ghanaian artist, takes an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating installation, sculpture, weaving, photography, basketry, and painting into her work. Using upcycled kenaf baskets, known as 'chalis' and commonly found in Ghanaian markets, she explores the connections between craft, trade, gender and global economics. Amy Celestina is a Senegalese artist who trained at the National School of Arts in Dakar. She combines painting with collage, recycled materials, and sewing to create poetic visual narratives inspired by everyday life and social change. Dr Gindi, a German-Egyptian sculptor, takes a philosophical approach to her work, drawing on her background as a doctor. She creates bronze figures that explore themes of human vulnerability, transformation, and the passage of time. Aza Mansongi is a Congolese artist who works in painting, sculpture, installation and video. After studying at the Kinshasa Academy of Fine Arts, she spent years practising art in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. Klervie Mouho, a French-Ivorian artist, combines drawing, painting and photography, often drawing on personal and collective memories of political unrest in Côte d'Ivoire. Originally from Burkina Faso, Olga Yaméogo now lives in France. In her work, she addresses themes such as migration, identity and globalisation, portraying anonymous crowds and individual portraits that challenge perceptions of belonging.
Located on the shores of Lake Brienz in Switzerland, the Jean Theiler Gallery offers valuable insights through its long-standing commitment to Zimbabwean Shona stone sculpture and contemporary art from southern Africa. The gallery owners have supported African artists for many years, facilitating dialogue with Swiss artists in the process. Shona stone sculpture is internationally recognised for its rich variety of colours, textures, and symbolic forms. Artists combine traditional carving techniques with contemporary themes to create pieces that are both culturally rooted and artistically innovative.
At the fair, the gallery will present works by Lovemore Bonjisi, Beatrice Dauge, Tafadzwa Gwetai, Nonny Mate, Lloyd Mwarowa, Taylor Nkomo and Martin Umali. Born in 1985 into a renowned family of Zimbabwean stone sculptors, Lovemore Bonjisi began learning the craft at the age of twelve. His work combines elements of Shona cultural tradition with contemporary artistic expression, and has been exhibited internationally in Europe, Australia, Asia, and the United States. Another important figure in the Shona sculptural tradition is Taylor Nkomo, who originally trained as a painter and printmaker before turning to stone sculpture. His artistic vision is deeply influenced by the spirituality of nature and the central role of family in Zimbabwean culture.
African art is a complex tapestry woven from a variety of cultural expressions, historical contexts and contemporary interpretations.
These diverse artistic contributions demonstrate how ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 2026 can bring together cultures, generations and perspectives through contemporary art. By uniting galleries, artists and audiences from various regions worldwide, the fair fosters a vibrant arena for artistic exploration and discourse. ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH promotes new ways of engaging with artistic traditions, encouraging openness towards cultural diversity and innovation. By doing so, the fair affirms the importance of art as a universal language that can connect people across borders and contribute to a deeper understanding of our shared cultural landscape.
Files:
Selected presentations:
- Artgal.Online – a Swiss gallery that builds bridges between cultures.
- Gallery Brulhart, Geneva - Platform for contemporary African women artists.
- Jean Theiler Gallery - focus on Shona sculptures and paintings.
- Soulflower - Expressive spiritual symbolism and colour philosophy.
- Weitere Galerien und Künstler
KEYWORDS / HASHTAGS
ArtInternationalZurich, ArtZurich, ContemporaryArt, AfricanArt, ZimbabweanArtists, WomenArtists, FeministArt, AfricanDiaspora, GlobalArt, ArtFair, CulturalDialogue, ShonaSculpture, ModernArt, ArtExhibition, InternationalArtists, AfricanHeritage, ArtAndIdentity
EVENT
ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 2026
28th Contemporary Art Fair
8 - 10 May 2026
Puls 5 Event Hall Zurich, Switzerland
CONTACT
E-mail: info@art-zurich.com
Contact form: www.art-zurich.com/contact
Accreditation for journalists and media representatives: www.art-zurich.com/evip
Further information: https://art-zurich.com/2026
More details and images at https://fineartdiscovery.com/2026
DISCLAIMER:
The fair organiser or website operator is not responsible for the content of the texts and images provided by the exhibitors. The content of linked websites is the sole responsibility of the respective website operator. See also Copyright / Disclaimer: https://art-zurich.com/impressum
