Artgal.Online is a Swiss-based gallery with a mission rooted in Zimbabwe. Founded by Dennis Ruf, it brings contemporary Zimbabwean painting and traditional Shona stone sculpture to collectors around the world, while working closely with the artists and communities behind the work.

Together with Zimbabwean artist Keith Zenda, the gallery runs Artgal Zim Center in Domboshava, near Harare, a space where artists can create, learn, exhibit and build their careers.

Dennis Ruf and Keith Zenda with a stone sculpture by Sampson Kuvenguhwa

Artgal Online Dennis Ruf and Keith Zenda with Sampson Kuvenguhwa sculpture.png

#### A Journey That Began in Zimbabwe

"I grew up in Zimbabwe and left the country at the age of 16, but it has always remained close to my heart," Dennis says. After most of his professional life in Switzerland, he wanted to give something back to the country that shaped his childhood.

An interest in Zimbabwean art grew into a much bigger commitment through his friendship with Keith Zenda. "We share a belief that extraordinary artistic talent deserves opportunities beyond geographical and financial boundaries."

#### A Home for Artists in Domboshava

Artgal Zim Center officially opened in March 2026. It offers mentorship, artist residencies, education programmes, national competitions and a route into international exhibitions and art fairs.

Many talented Zimbabwean artists struggle to be seen beyond their own communities, often because they lack resources and international networks. The centre exists to change that. "We want to connect Zimbabwean artists with collectors and cultural institutions worldwide while ensuring that the artists themselves remain at the centre of everything we do," Dennis explains.

Artgal Zim Center in Domboshava, Zimbabwe

Artgal Zim Center Domboshava.png

#### Tsika Dzedu: Our Culture

The clearest example of that mission is *Tsika Dzedu*, which means "Our Culture" in Shona. The gallery's 2026 National Art Exhibition and Competition was open to artists from across Zimbabwe, whatever their background, age or level of recognition, giving them a chance to exhibit, be seen and have their work recognised.

For Dennis, the competition is only the first step. The aim is to build a pathway for artists with little access to galleries and international markets, from local recognition to an audience of collectors worldwide. "For me, this is one of the most important aspects of our work: discovering talent in Zimbabwe, giving it a platform at home, and helping it find an audience internationally."

The winning artworks are now gathered in one [Tsika Dzedu 2026 collection on Cohart](https://www.cohart.com/artgal.online/artworks?folder=968).

Tsika Dzedu 2026 National Art Exhibition and Competition at Artgal Zim Center

Tsika Dzedu competition 2026.png

First prize went to Jonathan Chezani's *Vachadzidzei (What Will They Learn?)*, shown here with *Musha Mukadzi*, a joint third-prize winner.

The joint second-prize works: Brian Ndlovu's *After Harvest* and Nomatter Kutsawa's *Kutsvaira (Sweeping)*.

#### Recognition for a New Voice

Dennis admires many works, especially those by Keith Zenda and master sculptor Sampson Kuvenguhwa. But one of his proudest moments is seeing an emerging artist recognised for the first time.

Samuel Sifani's painting *Contained Not Diminished* received a Certificate of Recognition at Tsika Dzedu 2026. Samuel, who lives with albinism, paints to challenge prejudice and encourage understanding. Keith has supported his development for several years, and for Dennis, Samuel's growing confidence and recognition are "why we started this journey in the first place."

#### Art Beyond the Gallery

At Artgal Zim Center, Keith and his team welcome schoolchildren and introduce young people to painting. The gallery has also taken art teaching beyond its walls, with sessions at Chikurubi Prison that give participants a chance to explore their creativity.

"For us, art should not be reserved for galleries, collectors or those who can afford to buy it," Dennis says.

Schoolchildren painting at Artgal Zim Center

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Artgal Zim Center Chikurubi art sessions.png

#### Midzi YeHupenyu: Roots of Life

Keith's newest series, *Midzi YeHupenyu — Roots of Life, Where Memory Becomes Form*, is built around two questions in Shona: *Ndini ani? Tiri vana ani?* Who am I? Who are we?

Instead of canvas, Keith paints on woven reed mats, the everyday surfaces where families sit, rest and gather, and extends each scene into the room with real objects: a basket of grain, clay vessels, gourds and a shared mukombe cup. The three installations move between ancestral spirit, the daily work that feeds families, and village elders gathering to seek guidance for their community. Keith calls the visual language he has built *Zendaism*: "art from heart, my soul, my Spirit."

The series will be presented at Cheuka in Harare this November. Read more in the full [curatorial essay](https://artgal.online/curatorial-essays/roots-of-life/).

Keith Zenda standing between two reed-mat installations from Midzi YeHupenyu: three men around a shared cup, and a seated figure in an ostrich-feather headdress

Artgal Keith Zenda with Midzi YeHupenyu installations

#### What's Next

From 17 to 19 November, Artgal.Online presents Keith's *Midzi YeHupenyu* installations at Cheuka, the international art show in Harare. At home, the focus is SANGANA NEUNYANZVI 2026, an emerging artists competition and exhibition at Artgal Zim Center running from November into December. Building on Tsika Dzedu, the team hopes to make it a regular event for the next generation of Zimbabwean artists. Further exhibitions in Switzerland are planned for 2027.

"Ultimately, I would like Artgal.Online and Artgal Zim Center to be remembered not simply for the artworks we exhibited or sold, but for the opportunities we helped create for the artists and communities we support."

Poster for Keith Zenda's reed-mat installations at Cheuka Harare Art Fair 2026, 17 to 19 November, asking Ndini ani? Tiri vana ani? Who am I? Who are we?

Artgal Cheuka Harare Art Fair 2026 poster

Call for artists flyer for SANGANA NEUNYANZVI 2026 at Artgal Zim Center, Domboshava, 20 November to 20 December 2026

Artgal SANGANA NEUNYANZVI 2026 flyer

**Explore the [Tsika Dzedu 2026 collection](https://www.cohart.com/artgal.online/artworks?folder=968) and Keith Zenda's [Midzi YeHupenyu installations](https://www.cohart.com/artgal.online/artworks?folder=969), and discover Artgal.Online on [Cohart](https://www.cohart.com/artgal.online/profile). Visit [artgal.online](https://artgal.online) and [Artgal Zim Center](https://artgalzim.com), find the gallery on [Artsy](https://www.artsy.net/partner/artgal-dot-online), meet [Samuel Sifani](https://artgal.online/artists/samuel-sifani) and see the [2027 exhibition theme](https://artgal.online/exhibitions-2027/).**

Artgal.Online: Bringing Zimbabwean art to the world, with Dennis Ruf and Keith Zenda beside a Sampson Kuvenguhwa sculpture

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How Dennis Ruf's Swiss-based gallery and Artgal Zim Center are opening international doors for Zimbabwean painters and Shona stone sculptors.

Artgal.Online: Bringing Zimbabwean Art to the World

Dennis Ruf and Keith Zenda with a sculpture by Sampson Kuvenguhwa

Artgal Zim Center, Domboshava

Tsika Dzedu 2026 National Art Exhibition and Competition

Art sessions with schoolchildren at Artgal Zim Center

Art teaching sessions at Chikurubi Prison

Keith Zenda with Misodzi yeMadzitateguru and Mweya weMadzitateguru, from Midzi YeHupenyu, 2026

Keith Zenda at Cheuka Harare Art Fair, 17–19 November 2026

SANGANA NEUNYANZVI 2026 at Artgal Zim Center, 20 November to 20 December

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