Raphael Chikukwa Biography | Age, Early Life and Education, Career, Publications
This is the biography of Raphael Chikukwa (born 1970) a Zimbabwean curator currently serving as the Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe since 2020. Prior to this role, he held the position of Chief Curator at the same institution. Chikukwa has also worked independently as a curator for a decade. He is a Chevening Scholar and holds an MA in Curating Contemporary Design from Kingston University London.
Early Life and Education
Chikukwa received his training at the Harare Art Centre in Mbare. He was awarded the Chevening Scholarship for the 2006-2007 academic year and went on to complete an MA in Curating Contemporary Design from Kingston University London.
Career
Chikukwa began his career as a volunteer at the second Johannesburg Biennale in 1997, working under Okwui Enwezor. For the next ten years, he worked as an independent curator. He pursued further studies and training in Europe before being appointed as Curator of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
During his tenure at the National Gallery, Chikukwa played a crucial role in establishing the Zimbabwean Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011. He also organized the country’s representation at the Biennale in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022.
Chikukwa later returned to Zimbabwe as part of his personal journey to reconnect with his home country. He was a founding staff member of the PUMA-funded Creative Africa Network, where he served as an editor and advisor from 2008 to 2009. In 2008, he represented Africa at the Art Basel Miami Conversations in the United States, and in 2006-2007, he received a curatorial research grant from the American Center Foundation, which allowed him to travel to West Africa for research purposes.
In 2020, Chikukwa assumed the role of Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. The following year, he served as a member of the visual arts jury for the annual DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program.
Also read: Helliate Rushwaya Biography | Family Background, Education, Career, Appointment as ZBC Chairperson
Publications
Raphael Chikukwa has contributed to several publications, including:
- “Face to Face” (National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, 2003)
- “Visions of Zimbabwe” (Manchester City Art Galleries, 2004)
- “Mawonero/Umbono: Insights on Art in Zimbabwe” (Kerber Verlag, 2016)
- “Kabbo Ka Muwala: Migration and Mobility in Contemporary Art” (Revolver, 2017)
