TAFADZWA TEGA

(b.1985 Harare, Zimbabwe)

The narrative expectations and contradictions of the diaspora experience are the central subject of Zimbabwean-born artist Tafadzwa Tega’s socio-political portraits of immigrants and immigrant life. 

‘My work speaks to the struggles and dreams of the people of Zimbabwe. Political and economic instability over several decades has forced many Zimbabweans, including myself and some family members, to emigrate. Finding themselves in foreign countries – and, often, subjected to poor working and living conditions – Zimbabweans learn how to make ends meet while, at the same time, not forgoing ambition. These opposing currents – joy and desire on the one hand; exploitation and alienation on the other – often come to be represented in photographs. In these photographs, people dress their best; they choose glamorous settings for backgrounds; they pose. My paintings are based off of these photographs, conveying my countrymen’s resilience and determination to live (or, at least, to project) a better life.’ 

Tafadzwa Tega was born in Harare and studied art at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. In 2008, Tega moved to South Africa, later joining Good Hope Art Studio. Tega has participated in several group exhibitions and has presented solo exhibitions in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as Lausanne, Switzerland. His work can be found in several prominent private collections, including the Leridon Collection, the Spier Arts Trust, Nando’s and the University of Cape Town. Tega is currently based in Cape Town. In 2023 he was acknowledged with the award for the best visual arts exhibition at the Aardklop National Arts Festival in South Africa. 

EDUCATION

2008 Diploma in Fine Art, National Gallery of Zimbabwe

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2025    

Matakadya Kare, Everard Read Cape Town, South Africa.

2023

Chisi hachieri musi wacharimwa (A seed will take its time to grow), Everard Read, Johannesburg; Aardklop National Arts Festival, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Exodus, Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Milan, Italy

Future Fair, with Martin Projects, New York, USA

2022

Rwendo (Journey), JD Malat Gallery (in collaboration with Africa First), London, UK

Zumbani, Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Milan, Italy

2021

Harare Dream, Foreign Agent, Lausanne, Switzerland

2020

Mwana Whevu (Son of the Soil), Gallery MOMO, Johannesburg, South Africa

2019

Africa Without Borders, Gallery MOMO, Cape Town, South Africa

2014

Africa Without Borders, World Art, Cape Town, South Africa

2012

Adolf Tega, AVA Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

Rwendo Rwechokwadi, Christopher Moller, Cape Town, South Africa

2024

Inner Sanctum, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

Winter Collection, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

Artefiera Bologna, Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido,  Bologna, Italy

EXPO CHICAGO, with Everard Read, Chicago, USA

2023

miart Fair, with Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Milan, Italy

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Cape Town, South Africa

FNB Art Joburg, with Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

The Other’s Warmth, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

Contemporary Figuration: Between Body & Metaphor, JD Malat Gallery, London, UK

2022

Art Miami, with Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Miami, USA

Volta Fair, with Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Basel, Switzerland

So Far So Good, Mimmo Scognamiglio, Milan, Italy

Dallas Art Fair, with Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Dallas, USA

2021

A Very Loop Street Summer, EBONY/CURATED, Cape Town, South Africa

8x8, Ebony/Curated, Cape Town, South Africa

Art Miami, with Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Miami USA

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Ebony/Curated, Cape Town, South Africa

Dallas Art Fair, with Mimmo Scognamiglio / Placido, Dallas, USA

Open City: Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt, FNB Art Joburg, South Africa

Foreign Agent, 1-54 London, UK

2020

Summer Show, Gallery MOMO, Cape Town, South Africa

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Gallery MOMO, Cape Town, South Africa

2019

#Recess, Gallery MOMO, Johannesburg, South Africa

Urban Archeology, Daor Contemporary, Cape Town, South Africa

Nando’s Creative Exchange, AVA Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

FNB Art Joburg, with Gallery MOMO, Johannesburg, South Africa

COLLECTIONS

Leridon Collection, France

Spier Arts Trust, South Africa

Nando’s Collection, South Africa

University of Cape Town, South Africa

Fundacion AMMA, Mexico

Fundacion para el Desarrollo de la Pintura, Spain

Radisson Red, South Africa