National Gallery of Zimbabwe
National Gallery of Zimbabwe
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
52 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
19
Average
12
Poor
6
Terrible
1
DevonRed
Trusham, UK696 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Like a lot of Zimbabwe, the National Gallery is a mixture of sublime and broken. The building itself is a great example of the architecture of its time, but it feels a little unloved, something that was reinforced by the fact that there were hardly any visitors. For the two hours we were there, we saw less than half a dozen other people.
And yet, some of the art was wonderful. As at Aug 2024, there was a wonderful exhibition of work by Zimbabwean artist Mercy Moyo (see pictures). The sculpture on the top floor was great, too.
There was also some interesting work placed outdoors but in a really uninspiring open area between the entrance and the excellent Afrotopia cafe, but with no interpretation or labelling. As I say - a curate's egg.
The little gift shop was a delight though, with original art on sale from Zimbabwean artists, and it was a pleasure to buy their work.
Worth a visit, but it could be so much better.
And yet, some of the art was wonderful. As at Aug 2024, there was a wonderful exhibition of work by Zimbabwean artist Mercy Moyo (see pictures). The sculpture on the top floor was great, too.
There was also some interesting work placed outdoors but in a really uninspiring open area between the entrance and the excellent Afrotopia cafe, but with no interpretation or labelling. As I say - a curate's egg.
The little gift shop was a delight though, with original art on sale from Zimbabwean artists, and it was a pleasure to buy their work.
Worth a visit, but it could be so much better.
Written 11 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,534 contributions
Nov 2010 • Couples
This is not one of the world's great national galleries but we enjoyed it despite its shortcomings. This a good souvenir shop, with some interesting books about African art. There are displays of traditional wood carvings and fetishes and so forth and quite a few modern canvases, some of them offering an insight into the travails of modern Zimbabwe. When we visited there was also an 'international' exhibition which amounted to no more than a few colorful photocopies of European art stuck on bits of board. But, hey, any art lover will find a few sculptures and paintings that they admire here.
Written 4 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kwirirayi
Harare, Zimbabwe55 contributions
Sept 2019
If you want to see some of the best young artists' work coming out of Zimbabwe this is a must. Open to the public, the staff is helpful and exhibitions are changed regularly for maximum exposure and variety. There is an art shop with a great book selection and a coffee shop too.
Written 29 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmannoia
Santa Barbara, CA154 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
A sad sad experience...an embarrassment! The Gallery used to be a showcase of the best Shona sculpture. Today there is not a single piece inside and the garden pieces are not representative of Zimbabwe's best....plus they are littered with beer and whiskey bottles apparently from homeless sleeping there. The display of photos was ok, but there was no permanent collection of Zimbabwe's biggest contribution to the art world. The staff is huge but not one seemed interested in anything other than sitting in groups playing with their smart phones. In 30 minutes not one spoke to me or even made eye contact. The Director should be fired!
Written 16 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnneRaleigh
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe75 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
At a $1 it was still not worth a stop. They are doing renovations and perhaps when that is finished with it will be a good place to visit. The only galleries open contained a photo series on Churches in Goa (very beautiful) and a student exhibit. Both were actually very good but I was hoping that the National Gallery of Zimbabwe would be full of Zimbabwean art and the history of it and that was sadly lacking. Granted there are some beautiful sculptures that are lined up outside the building and in the garden behind it but I was still left with feeling like this wasn’t the gallery trip I had hoped for. I will return after they have finished the renovations and hope to write a better review then. In the mean time I will only say that the National Gallery in Bulawayo is a far more inspiring place to visit.
Written 25 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sharon r
2 contributions
Aug 2019
it wasn't bad cool and calm. we went with my friend it was an afternoon well spent We enjoyed the visual arts and the sculptures. They also sale some books and amazing art crafts right in the gallery .
Written 8 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sian N
64 contributions
Jan 2018 • Business
Always a good place to visit if you enjoy art. Exhibitions vary but are usually interesting. There is a good shop with a variety of art and craft for sale. There is also a lovely sculpture part in the gardens out the back. The café has just been revived and has great potential not yet realized. On first day was assisted by a very helpful woman and had lovely fruit juice and sandwich (sadly most of menu not available); next day no one was around to offer service although it was lunch time and I was told someone was supposed to be there (yes, I suppose it was a Monday when the main part of the gallery is closed, and I gather there was someone standing in to do the service....or not) but it was a pity. Hopefully as tourism improves again the café can reach its potential. The gallery only costs a dollar admission, a dollar very well spent.
Written 17 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chiremba_Makoni
Bulawayo44 contributions
Oct 2017
Visited the Art Gallery and enjoyed viewing the paintings and models on display. The guide who took us around was very friendly and full of information. Will be visiting again soon.
Written 8 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veronica F
43 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
The National Gallery was a great place to spend an afternoon. Unfortunately, when I went the paintings section was closed, so all I got to see was the outdoor sculpture garden, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Then lounged in the sun, with many others. The staff at the National Gallery were so nice and helpful, they even let me charge my phone there. Also, to see the sculptures outside is free, so I didn't pay. There was a really moving piece outside and to the left about HIV/AIDS, and there was also a lovely sculpture with a woman and a child, and one with a woman with one breast. The pieces were really expert and fascinating. The Cafe in the National Gallery is a must, I thoroughly recommend the brownies (good affordable prices). Have fun!!
Written 14 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fanny N
Zimbabwe9 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
Serene and peaceful with intelligent artistic works that challenge your mind aesthetically and demands of your artistic mind to stretch beyond your limits.
Written 8 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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