Inspired by the shifting structure of the modern family, this artwork reflects how wealth, freedom, and personal image often overshadow traditional values. In this satirical portrait, pets replace the role once held by children, highlighting how family identity has evolved into a commercialized, image-driven model. Flatter Zenda offers a sharp commentary on today’s self-styled elites: a chimpanzee impeccably dressed in a blue suit sits beside a glamorous, poised woman, exposing the absurd theatre of modern influence and social hierarchy. Though posed like a royal portrait, their exaggerated features reveal the emptiness behind curated appearances. The pristine white cat—long associated with luxury—rests proudly on the “patron’s” lap, amplifying the satire of entitlement and privilege. Through expressive textures and humorous distortion, The Patrons critiques vanity, power, and the performative identities crafted by contemporary “ruling families.”

Artgal.Online

The Patrons

March of the Modern Totems captures Flatter Zenda’s signature blend of cultural symbolism and contemporary commentary. The painting depicts four figures confidently striding forward—two human and two hybrid beings with bull heads—each representing a bridge between tradition and modernity. Their vibrant clothing, urban accessories, and confident poses contrast strikingly with the timeless symbolism of the bull, a totem of strength, fertility, and endurance in African cosmology. Through layered textures and a warm, earthy palette, Zenda evokes the dust and rhythm of rural life merging with the pulse of urban identity. The work celebrates resilience and transformation, suggesting that heritage and progress can coexist in powerful harmony.

March of the Modern Totems

Two suited chimpanzees sit at a desk, one focused on a laptop while the other smokes a cigar, exuding an air of business strategy and power. The piece cleverly critiques corporateculture, depicting the paradox of intelligence and primal instincts. The detailed brushwork and bold color palette add depth to the narrative.

Corporate Primates

white

yellow

orange

purple

dark blue

green

light blue

brown

black

Acrylic

Aquatint

Canvas

Chalk

Charcoal

Clay

Concrete

Embroidery

Graphite

Gold

Mixed Media

Metal

Oil Paint

Paper

Pastels

Pencil

Pigment

Resin

Tempera

Textile

Watercolor

Collage

Other

Film

Digital

Ceramic

Wire

Wood

Yarn

Stone

Porcelain

Marble

Glass

Plastic

Design

Drawing

Engraving

Etching

Linocut

Lithography

Painting

Prints

Screen Print

Text

Work on paper

Photography

3D Print

Performance

Sculpture

Lacquer on Masonite

Landscape

Portrait

Very large

Large

Medium

Small

Very Small

The Last Round

Stealth

Happy Woman

Watcher of Silence - Harare

2 round tables with marble tops

Artgal.Online

collection: Surreal

Material

Medium

Type

Sizes

Orientations

Dimensions

Colors

Colors

The Patrons

March of the Modern Totems

Corporate Primates