The original work, executed in 2020 with oil-based printing ink and oil bar on canvas, measures 186 by 186 centimetres. Christie's catalogue documents its provenance through David Zwirner in London and acquisition by the Peter Simon Collection in 2020. The auction was a secondary-market sale from that collection, so this report does not presume that the artist received the proceeds.
Christie's stated that the result surpassed Zvavahera's earlier personal auction record of £286,258. Specialist market reporting said the 2026 price exceeded four times the £70,000 presale low estimate. These figures describe a specific public auction—not a claim that the work is the highest-valued painting ever made by a Zimbabwean.
Her art has roots in Zimbabwe's training and visual culture. Christie's specialist catalogue recounts her education at BAT Visual Art Studios, linked to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and subsequent work at Harare Polytechnic. It describes the interweaving of dreams, spiritual imagery, printmaking and painting techniques in her practice.
For Zimbabwean artists, students and gallery workers, this dated public result is a meaningful reason to revisit local visual-art traditions and the people who help artists develop: tutors, printers, technicians, curators and galleries. OurPride celebrates the achievement through an original source-led account rather than reproducing copyrighted auction photographs or pretending to know what the artist is feeling today.
Evidence note: This is an attributed published account, not an event independently witnessed by OurPride. How we handle sources ↗
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