Cosmas Dandajenah

Cosmas Dandajenah’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in personal experience and community values. From an early age, art served as his way of exploring and questioning the world — a visual language through which he expressed both the everyday and the profound. Encouraged by his late father, who recognised his early drawings and quietly supported his ambitions, Cosmas was able to follow a creative path in an environment where art was seldom viewed as a viable career. His father’s belief in him continues to shape both his practice and his approach to teaching.

Working primarily in realism, Cosmas believes that reality itself is the most profound teacher. By paying close attention to light, form, and texture, he aims to capture not only what is seen but also what is felt — the dignity, effort, and perseverance embedded in everyday life. His use of acrylic and oil on canvas, and at times on wood, reflects both his background in textile design and his appreciation for tactile, enduring materials.

Cosmas’s themes focus on social values, integrity, and discipline—principles he regards as essential for individual and collective growth. Having taught in Mhondoro, Zimbabwe, he remains committed to mentorship and to the transformative potential of creative education in guiding young people toward meaningful, constructive futures. For Cosmas, painting is not only representational; it is a catalyst for transformation. Each artwork serves as both a record and a reflection: honouring resilience, preserving important stories, and using art as a vessel for change and hope.

Born in 1966 in Zimbabwe, Cosmas Dandajenah lives and works in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. He is a self-taught Zimbabwean fine artist whose work combines craftsmanship, discipline, and social awareness. His artistic journey began at the age of eleven, encouraged by his father, a performing artist, who supported his early interests in drawing and design. This encouragement laid a foundation for a lifelong dedication to art that fuses technical skill with cultural and moral insight.
After completing his O-Level studies in 1985, Dandajenah trained as a textile artist and later worked in Zimbabwe’s textile industry,  progressing to become a print designer and studio manager. This experience enhanced his mastery of pattern, balance, and composition — elements that continue to influence his painting. In 2002, he fully transitioned into fine art, dedicating himself to painting as a profession.
Since then, Dandajenah has displayed widely across Zimbabwe and South Africa, including Shamwari Gallery (Zimbabwe, 2004–2008), Richard Rene Gallery (Zimbabwe), The Story Room (Harare, Khayelitsha), Chameleon Gallery (Kalk Bay), Church Street Gallery (Cape Town), Liza Art Gallery (Knysna), Impasto Art Gallery (Somerset West), and various community exhibitions in Khayelitsha. Working primarily with acrylic and oil on canvas, and occasionally on wood, his works are held in private collections both locally and internationally.
Rooted in realism and guided by a strong sense of purpose, Dandajenah continues to explore how art can serve as both reflection and restoration — offering narratives of dignity, labour, and resilience drawn from African life.

Selected Exhibitions:

2025
Group Exhibition 'A Place In The Sun' at The Cape Gallery, Cape Town