60 - ‡ TAFADZWA TEGA (ZIMBABWEAN B.1985)

‡ TAFADZWA TEGA (ZIMBABWEAN B.1985) MUFUNDISI, 2022 mixed medium on canvas 130 x 70cm (134 x 174cm framed) Property from an Important International Collection Provenance Purchased directly from the artist by the present owner Exhibited Commissioned for Africa First x JD Malat, London Tafadzwa Tega is a prominent contemporary Zimbabwean visual artist whose vibrant, symbol-laden figurative paintings explore themes of migration, human dignity, and the diasporic experience. Born Harare, Tega Tafadzwa descends from a long line of artists. He earned a Fine Art Diploma from the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in 2008 before economic and political instability prompted his relocation to Cape Town, South Africa. This personal journey of forced displacement deeply shapes his creative trajectory. Using an exuberant, contemporary Fauvist style, Tega places his subjects in proud, theatrical poses to reclaim their grandiosity and value in the face of alienation. His saturated, contrasting colour palette conveys joy and hope, directly juxtaposing the harsh realities of the immigrant experience. A signature element in his work is the patterned background featuring Zumbani leaves ( from the fever tree), a botanical motif representing Zimbabwean ancestry, healing, and spiritual protection. Tega has exhibited globally with notable solo shows in London, Cape Town, and Lausanne, alongside features at major art fairs like The Armory Show and Art Paris. His celebrated artworks are held in major international collections, including the Spier Arts Trust, the University of Cape Town, and the Nando's Collection.