Breaking into Life captures a powerful moment of origin and emergence. From the fractured shell, human figures spill into existence—each movement charged with urgency, curiosity, and the raw energy of becoming. The broken form becomes both cradle and catalyst, symbolizing the transition from unity into multiplicity. 
 
Zenda explores the idea of humanity as a shared beginning—one source giving rise to many paths. The figures, scattered yet connected, reflect the complexity of identity, community, and the human condition. Some rise, some fall, some reach out—mirroring the realities of life itself. 
 
Rooted in the philosophy of Zendaism, the work speaks to creation, struggle, and collective existence. It is a visual meditation on how we enter the world: not as individuals alone, but as part of a larger, unfolding whole.

Breaking into Life

In Zimbabwean heritage, the rooster is more than a creature that crows at dawn. It is a messenger of time, a herald of new beginnings, and a symbol of masculine pride and authority. Its crow announces the break of night into day, linking it to cycles of life, vigilance, and the order of society. In many tales, the rooster embodies both power and warning—its voice commands attention, its presence asserts dominance. 
 
This painting dramatizes that symbolism: a colossal rooster chases grown men who scatter in fear, reversing ordinary roles. The exaggerated scale represents its elevated status in African culture—guardian of the homestead, keeper of order, and symbol of resilience. The men’s flight echoes society’s confrontation with forces greater than itself: tradition, authority, and nature’s undeniable voice. By magnifying the rooster, the artist reminds us of its revered place in Zimbabwean storytelling, where it stands as a timeless figure of respect, pride, and awakening.

Utongi WeJongwe - The Rooster’s Dominion

In Sunset View, Keith Zenda merges portraiture and landscape into a quiet moment of reflection. The woman’s gaze emerges from the horizon itself, as if born from light, memory, and water. Layers of color dissolve the boundary between self and environment, suggesting identity as something fluid—shaped by time, place, and inner stillness. The sunset becomes both a physical moment and a metaphor: a pause between what has been and what is yet to come.

Sunset View

Gamuchirai (meaning “Welcome” in Shona) is a powerful mixed-media portrait by Keith Zenda that celebrates openness, dignity, and cultural pride. The woman’s direct, steady gaze establishes an immediate human connection, inviting the viewer into a shared space of respect and presence. Zenda combines painterly realism with real fabric, allowing the patterned textile to extend beyond the painted surface and break the boundary between artwork and lived experience. The vibrant blue and yellow cloth references African identity, heritage, and continuity, while the dark background amplifies the subject’s calm strength. Gamuchirai speaks of hospitality not as a gesture, but as a state of being — rooted in confidence, self-awareness, and ancestral grounding.

Gamuchirai

Actual Size - 130x90 - This stunning painting by Keith Zenda captures the essence of African elegance, cultural pride, and inner strength. The portrait features a beautiful woman adorned with a vibrant red African headwrap, intricately detailed with traditional patterns, complemented by her braided hair that seamlessly blends with the fabric. Her serene yet confident gaze draws the viewer into a moment of quiet introspection, while the soft purple background enhances her radiant presence. 
 
Keith Zenda masterfully incorporates textured elements, including real fabric, to bring depth and dimension to the artwork, bridging traditional artistry with contemporary techniques. The feather earring adds a touch of ethereal symbolism, representing freedom and spiritual connection. This piece celebrates the beauty and resilience of African women, making it a timeless testament to cultural heritage and feminine grace.

Graceful Reflections

An oil painting actual size 120x90cm on canvas titled “Rutendo”, portraying a woman dressed in vibrant African printed cloth used for both her headwrap and blouse. The artwork features rural roadrunner chicken feathers fashioned into earrings. Rutendo’s expressive eyes convey strength and gratitude, while her sparkling smile suggests she offers words of encouragement and wisdom, celebrating cultural heritage and personal empowerment.

Rutendo

Series Title: The Silent Key Artist: Keith Zenda In The Silent Key, Keith Zenda explores themes of repression, identity, and feminine power. Chains, padlocks, and keys serve as stark symbols of societal limitations placed upon women. These painted figures stand strong, yet their silence echoes stories too often untold. Their gazes are unbroken, their presence undeniable. The women portrayed are not invisible-they represent all those who have been bound by tradition, law, or expectation. And yet, even in silence, beauty, dignity, and hope emerge. The key is present-silent, waiting-but who will use it? This series challenges us to listen, to unlock, and to reflect on the power of stories yet to be heard.

York

Clicking

In this evocative piece, Keith Zenda reimagines a large cooking pot traditionally used in Zimbabwe to prepare mealie meal, the staple food at the heart of many family gatherings. Now weathered and resting on its side, it stands under a vast, sun-warmed sky, surrounded by figures whose movements and postures suggest fatigue, waiting, and quiet endurance. Some lean against the vessel, others sit or walk in the distance, their forms softened by a hazy, golden light. The earthy tones and gentle gradations of color evoke the dry season, when resources are few but community ties endure. By pairing this familiar symbol of sustenance with scenes of measured stillness, Zenda reflects on resilience in times of shortage, the ability to adapt, and the deep connection between shared meals and cultural identity. Rather than focusing solely on hardship, the work invites contemplation on how Zimbabwean traditions carry hope and unity, even in life’s leaner seasons.

Nyika Yezvishoma – Land of Little

Mother of the Wild Spirit by Keith Zenda is a symbol-rich meditation on creation, consciousness, and the profound connection between humanity, spirit, and nature. Centered around a radiant female figure, the painting explores the idea of spiritual motherhood as a force that nurtures wisdom, instinct, memory, and life itself. 
 
An egg revealing an all-seeing eye symbolizes awakening, vision, and the sacred origin of existence. Around it, the lion, elephant, and skull speak of courage, ancestral wisdom, memory, mortality, and the eternal cycle of transformation. Each symbol contributes to a dreamlike visual language that moves between reality and the spiritual realm. 
 
Through layered symbolism and powerful imagery, Zenda creates a world where rebirth, identity, and unseen energies shape human experience. The work invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of life, spirit, and the natural world.

Mother of the Wild Spirit

In this powerful and symbolic painting, Keith Zenda depicts people collecting kernels from a giant cob of maize, a scene that speaks to both resilience and vulnerability. Maize, the staple food in Zimbabwe and across much of Africa, is not only nourishment but also a symbol of survival and community life. By enlarging the cob to monumental proportions, the artist highlights its central role in sustaining families, while the the people embody the future generation whose well-being depends on it. 
 
The work reflects the challenges faced by communities where access to food is uncertain and survival often requires immense effort. At the same time, the painting conveys hope — the idea that through shared responsibility, creativity, and empowerment, a better future can be built. Zenda’s art is both a tribute to resilience and a call for awareness, reminding us that the simplest resources, when valued and protected, can sustain life and dignity for all.

Keith Zenda - Zurich 8 - 10th May