by artweb

Cape Town has been crowned the world’s best city for 2025 by Time Out, topping the renowned guide's 50 Best Cities in the World for 2025 index. Praised for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant cultural hubs, Cape Town earned the coveted top spot. It leads a prestigious list that includes Bangkok (second), New York (third), Melbourne (fourth), and London (fifth). For the art world, Cape Town’s rise as a major hub for contemporary creativity cements its status as a global cultural capital. artHARARE, a platform celebrating Zimbabwean contemporary art, has seamlessly integrated into this dynamic ecosystem, merging the bold energy of Zimbabwean artistic expression with Cape Town’s international appeal.
Established in 2020 during the height of the global pandemic, artHARARE began as a digital initiative to showcase Zimbabwean art at a time when physical exhibitions were impossible. The platform, envisioned by Zimbabwean artist Richard Mudariki, was born out of necessity, as many artists were unable to exhibit their works due to lockdowns. Its first online art showcase featured over 50 Zimbabwean artists, marking a milestone for Zimbabwean contemporary art on the global stage. Supported by international collaborations artHARARE quickly gained legitimacy as a vital platform for Zimbabwean contemporary expression.
Over time, artHARARE transitioned from an online platform to a physical presence, establishing its project space on Bree Street, one of Cape Town’s most iconic streets and a hub for emerging galleries like Reservoir, THK, Loop 99 among others. The physical location has enabled artHARARE to engage directly with audiences and integrate into Cape Town’s rich cultural landscape. This transition highlights a shift in the city’s art ecosystem, where spaces for emerging artists and collectors continue to flourish. Cape Town’s dynamic art scene, bolstered by institutions like the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art, Cape Town Studio Museum, A4 Foundation and the Norval Foundation, provides a fertile ground for initiatives like artHARARE to thrive.

The 2024 Africa Art Ecosystem Report by Corrigall & Co underscores the importance of Cape Town and Johannesburg as the continent’s leading art capitals. The report notes that these cities boast a robust and varied secondary market for contemporary art, as well as numerous spaces catering to emerging artists and collectors. While Johannesburg has traditionally been the epicenter of South Africa’s art economy, Cape Town’s growth has outpaced it in recent years, with galleries increasingly participating in international fairs and attracting global collectors. The Investec Cape Town Art Fair, one of Africa’s premier art events, exemplifies this international focus, drawing significant foreign interest and reinforcing the city’s position as a global art hub.
Cape Town’s appeal as an art capital is further enhanced by its natural beauty and strong tourism sector, which brings an influx of international visitors. Galleries in the city often rely on these foreign visitors for sales, many of whom own second homes and spend their summers in Cape Town. This unique blend of local and international engagement has created an art ecosystem that nurtures growth across all levels, from emerging talent to established artists commanding high prices on the global stage.
artHARARE’s presence in Cape Town underscores the growing recognition of Zimbabwean contemporary art on the global stage. Zimbabwean artists continue to produce provocative, boundary-pushing work that resonates worldwide. artHARARE’s project space on Bree Street serves as a crucial platform for celebrating this talent, providing a gateway for Zimbabwean artists to connect with broader audiences. The platform has made its mark at prestigious international fairs such as the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London and New York, the Also Known As Africa (AKAA) Contemporary Art and Design Fair in Paris, and the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, significantly amplifying the visibility of Zimbabwean art. This year, artHARARE is set to expand its reach further with planned showcases in Zurich and Los Angeles, among other locations.
As Cape Town continues to cement its status as a global cultural hub, artHARARE is uniquely positioned to contribute to this vibrant narrative. By bringing the stories and creativity of Zimbabwean artists to the forefront, it not only enriches the city’s art scene but also provides a vital link between the African diaspora and the global art market. In a city crowned the best in the world, artHARARE is ensuring that Zimbabwean contemporary art claims its rightful place in the spotlight.
artHARARE is located on 129 Bree Street, in Cape Town
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