Dinner with the Patriarch
Description
In Dinner with the Patriarch, Flatter Zenda delivers a sharp and humorous commentary on Zimbabwean cultural hierarchy through the lens of modern satire. By replacing human heads with powerful cattle totems, he transforms the dinner table into a gathering of ancestral symbols—stern, silent, and immovable. These totems, traditionally associated with lineage, authority, and identity, become exaggerated patriarchal figures whose presence dominates the space. Seated among them, a sophisticated woman raises her glass with a mixture of confidence and indifference, challenging the rigid expectations of tradition. Zenda’s expressive textures and dramatic contrasts highlight the tension between old structures and contemporary individuality. The painting becomes a witty critique of patriarchy, cultural performance, and the weight of ancestral authority—inviting viewers to reflect on how tradition both shapes and restricts modern life.Try it!
