Hunter

Todays featured sculpture

Hunter by Henry Munyaradzi



Weight: 22kg
Genre: Male
Stone type: Opaline

Sculptor Information


Henry was born in Guruvu in 1931. His father, a spirit medium, left the family when Henry was one year old and never returned. His uncle brought up Henry in rural surroundings and Henry did not go to school. After serving as the village blacksmith, he worked on tobacco farms as a carpenter and tobacco grader.

The 10th September 1967 marked a milestone in Henry’s life – one day he remembers vividly. Out of work, he was walking through the hills of the Great dyke of Zimbabwe when he heard the tapping of tools against stone. On investigation, he found men forming images from raw rock.

He had stumbled upon the Tengenenge Sculpture Community where he was welcomed by Tom Blomefield and began to sculpt. He soon became one of the most significant members of this group and since his first exhibition at the National Gallery in 1968; he has taken part in many other exhibitions both locally and internationally. Henry became known as Henry of Tengenenge.

Henry has become one of the world’s most widely known artists and his sculpture has been recognised with acclaim throughout the world. Following a very successful one-man exhibition in London in 1984, he was able to purchase his own farm.

Henry has also participated in almost all group exhibitions around the world. Michael Shepherd, a respected London critic wrote, “Michelangelo’s spiritual ideal of the individual form waiting to be released from the individual stone is even more apparent here than in Michelangelo’s own marbles”.

Sadly Henry passed away on 27 February 1998.

Rhinoman

Todays featured sculpture

Rhinoman by Bernard Matemera



Weight: 190kg
Genre: Animals
Stone Type: Serpentine

Sculptor Information

Bernard, a first generation artist, was born in 1946 in Guruve. Bernard is one of the earliest members of The Tengenenge Sculpture Community. As a youth he herded cattle and made clay figures. At school he excelled at woodcarving. Bernard is one of only four or five sculptors who remained at Tengenenge during the liberation struggle.
Uninfluenced by the market place his work is uncompromisingly African. His subjects are derived from people and animals he has seen in the past and from dreams. Bernard’s sculpture visualises his early established and highly original view of life, which has not yet been changed by outside influences. His area of Tengenenge is a playground for all shapes, sizes and conditions of man and spirit. We are asked to reshape our notions of beauty and engage in a number of erotic pursuits, to enter a world of romping and rolling and of games of the flesh. His sculpture speaks in a highly suggestive body language. He is the creator of sculpture in the raw – huge naked figures with breasts, buttocks and bulges, charged with sexual energy and all at odds with their massive proportion and bulk.
Within Bernard’s sculptures there is a wide distribution of the properties of man, animal and spirit. In his imagination the essence of these beings are selected, greatly magnified and put together as grotesque human/animal forms of great vitality and classical proportions, embodying grossly distended lips, bulging eyes, horns, gigantic body, feet and hands with two or three toes and fingers. He often portrays the metamorphosis of man into animal – animal into bird etc
Bernard had works purchased by National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Chapungu Sculpture Park, Volkerkunde Museum Frankfurt, Christensen Fund Perth Australia and Museum of Malawi for permanent collections. Many pieces are purchased by private collectors worldwide. In 1987, Bernard was invited to Yugoslavia to make a large sculpture at the Joseph Broz Triro Museum in Titograd. Bernard has also been honoured several times: Honour award at New Delhi Trienale, India; Distinction at Heritage Exhibition at The National Gallery of Zimbabwe; Awards of outdoor sculpture at The Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition; Merit at Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition.
Bernard passed away in March 2002.

My Spirit and I

Todays Featured Sculpture

My Spirit and I by Nicholas Mukomberanwa



Weight: 154kg
Genre: Spiritual
Stone Type: Springstone

Sculptor Information

Nicholas Mukomberanwa was born in Buhera district of Zimbabwe of rural parents. He attended St. Benedict’s Mission and later Serima Mission where he studied carving and sculpture under Father Broeber. In 1961 he came to Harare and joined the police force, later making contact with the Workshop school of the National Gallery and its Director, the late Frank McEwen ex sculpture and curator of the Musee Rodin, Paris who was appointed curator of the Director and curator of Rhodesian National Gallery Frank McEwen considered Nicholas to be one of Zimbabwe’s finest sculptors and compared him to many of the master of the past, he also said he considered Nicholas to be one of the greatest hard stone sculptors of our times.
Mukomberanwa’s great talent lies in his ability to express human emotion with deep accuracy and clarity. At his one man exhibition in London in 1983, he was compared to Epstein, Picasso and Klee and was described as a ‘’Genius’ and ‘A Great African Sculptor’. Nicholas lived on his farm near Harare and continued to sculpt with deep commitment until his untimely death. He preferred hard plainly coloured stones and was fiercely proud of his own culture, which he depicts with great conviction in stone.
In 1989 Nicholas was the overall winner in the Annual Nedlaw/Baringa exhibition at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and was chosen with Tapfuma Gutsa and Henry Munyaradzi to represent Zimbabwe in the New York exhibition “Contemporary African Artists – Changing Tradition”. In 1983 the Zimbabwe Government honoured Nicholas and three other sculptors with the issuing of commemorative Commonwealth Day postage stamps. In 1986 Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe, bestowed on Nicholas a special award for his contribution to the visual arts in Zimbabwe.
Extract from a quotation by Michael Shepherd of London Sunday Times on Nicholas Mukomberanwa. This was at an exhibition held in London. “Some of the subjects and up schemes are, as might be expected, similar to those which occupy the minds of all, Shona sculptors, with their sound culture of spirit in material form. But Mukomeranwa is in accord with Michelangelo in looking for a particular form to exist in and emerge from a particular piece of stone. The Zimbabwe stones are magnificent, very hard with a rich appearance, approaching that of semi-precious stones. It is extraordinary to think that of the leading 10 sculptor-carvers in the world perhaps five come from one single African tribe!”
Extracts from “Arts Review” London on an exhibition held at the Commonwealth Institute. “Near the beginning of the twentieth century ‘Primitive’ art offered sculptors an alternative tradition. The sculptures here are moving in any language, and they are made from within that other tradition. They are the real thing. Yet they seem at once familiar. We are used to their kind, translated by Epstein, Picasso, Gill (to take sundry examples). Gill can perhaps be compared most directly to Nicholas Mukomberanwa for the devotional nature of his carvings.”
His works have been sold to museums and prominent collectors throughout the world including the National Galleries of Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi; The Museum of Modern Arts, New York; The Museum of Mankind, London; The Field Museum, Chicago; The Volkerkunde Museum, Frankfurt and the Christiensen Fund, Perth, Australia.
During a time when it has been commonplace to maintain that no contemporary artistic expression of merit has its origin in Africa, Mukomberanwa’s powerful sculpture has proved the opposite and suggested reservoirs of great expression still to emanate from this deeply spiritual continent.
Unfortunately Nicholas passed away on 12 November 2002.

Young Bride

Todays featured sculpture

Young Bride by Lincoln Muteta



Weight: 8kg
 Genre: Female
Stone type: Opaline

Sculptor Information

Lincoln Muteta was born on the 18th of January 1975 in Highfield, Harare, Zimbabwe. He is the last born in a family of four. He is of the Soko Murewa totem and comes from Mutoko.
Being taught by Denny Kanyemba and inspired by people like the late Moses Masaya, he started sculpting in 1989 while still at school. He went to school at Morgan High in Arcadia, Harare, Zimbabwe.
His love and great dedication to Shona Cultural Heritage has made his work of high quality. His works have found their way to most major galleries worldwide. What makes his work even more interesting are the deep explanations that go with each piece of sculpture.
Lincoln bases his works on day-to-day events of life and makes mainly facial expressions, which reflect the innermost feelings of our heads. Lincoln draws most of his talent from his vast resources of life.

Stork

Today's featured sculpture

Stork by Bevin Chikodzi

 

Weight: 1kg
Genre: Birds
Stone type: Opaline

Sculptor Information

Bevin Chikodzi was born in 1966 in Mrewa, Zimbabwe and was part of the Shona Tribe. He was the eldest of seven children. Bevin married a childhood sweetheart. Bevin past away in October 2006.
Bevin completed his primary school at Mrewa and secondary education at Seke I. Whilst at school, he excelled in art and craft. From 1988 to 1989, Bevin worked with Mr Mudhokjwani, a local sculptor, in Seke. After gaining some valuable experience, Chikodzi decided to work on his own.
Bevin lived in Chitungwiza and was a sculptor full time. He had a personal style, which tends to be semi-abstract or abstract. Bevin’s sculpture portrays human emotions and relationships.
Golden Serpentine, a rare hard stone found in Zimbabwe was very much favoured by Bevin who enjoyed all the beautiful colours emerging from the stone once polished. He also worked in black and brown Serpentine.
Bevin had a quiet, gentle nature and a very good sense of humour. He was well liked and respected amongst his community.
The artist worked together with his stone and it is believed that “nothing which exists naturally is inanimate” – it has a spirit and life of it’s own. One is always aware of the stone’s contribution in the finished sculpture and it is indeed fortunate that in Zimbabwe a magnificent range of stones are available from which to choose.

Mirror Image

Today's featured sculpture

Mirror Image by Bonjisi Witness

 

Weight: 149kg
Genre: Female
Stone Type: Springstone

Sculptor Information

I am Witness Bonjisi and I was born in Mutuko on 25 September 1975. I did my education in Tafara and my Secondary in Mabruku.
I started doing art in Ruwa with my brother, Lameck Bonjisi in 1992 until 1995. Though influenced by Nicholas Mukomberanwa, I worked with my brother.
I started doing my own things in 1995. I did my first Exhibition in Oakland, America in 2002 with Shamwari Garrtaly. I did another Exhibition in Phoenix, Arizona, America the end of November till December.
In 2003, I was invited to Daros, Switzerland for World Economic Forum.

Bit of a chill

Today's featured sculpture

Bit of a chill by Marion Nyanhongo

 

Weight: 13kg
Genre: Female
Stone Type: Springstone

Sculptor Information

Marion was born on the 26th of July 1996 in the Eastern Highlands (Nyanga). She did her primary education at Mazarura Primary School and secondary education at Avilla Mission.
After school she worked in the textile industry until 1994. Marion was then encouraged to take up stone carving in 1995 and this was not difficult for her, because most of the family members are artists. His father helps her with the tools and she worked side by side with her sister Agnes and husband Joseph Munemo.
Marion’s main inspiration and courage comes from the world famous woman sculptors Agnes and Colleen Madamombe. The sculpting seems to be mainly a man’s job but Colleen and Agnes have proved to her that talent is regardless of gender. Since then Marion has never looked back and within a few years her work has been accepted far and wide.

Let's look at Opal

The Opal stone is a beautiful green stone.

Let's find out more...

OPAL STONE:

Opal stone is a beautiful light greenish found in the Chiweshe area of

Zimbabwe.Fine textures with an almost translucent surface which

is sometimes speckled with red, orange, bluish dots and patches. 

Opal stone is very hard and most attractive.

The artist works together with his stone - stone has life and spirit is not

inanimate. The great boulders and rocks in Zimbabwe are often a source of

inspiration to the sculptor.

Many artists feel that the stone is their friend and know their

properties intimately.

Man Dreaming

Today's featured sculpture

Man Dreaming by Ignatius Zhuwakiyi

 

Weight: 71kg
Genre: Abstract
Stone type: Opaline

Sculptor Information

Ignatius Zhuwakiyi was born in Harare. He was the fourth born in a family of two boys and two girls. He is now married and has one son.
Ignatius grew up in St. Mary’s Township and went to school at Zengeza Primary School. He did his secondary education at Zengeza Two High Secondary School, but left when he reached the second form.
He started carving when he met Locardia Ndandarika at her home. He used to help her at every possible opportunity and especially at the weekends.
In 1989 at Chapungu he met other artists, and with the encouragement and guidance from them, Ignatius learnt a few tricks and tactics required when creating sculpture. Amongst these artists were Godfrey Manchinjili, Vitalis Muchenje and Axilia Tatisa.
In 1990, a group exhibition was organised called The Young Generation at the John Boeing Galleries. Ignatius exhibited some of his works and was rewarded with a B.A.T. Certificate as a result thereof.
Ignatius Zhuwakiyi is now a full time artist and enjoys sculpting torsos.
During his spare time he likes to listen to the radio, reading and going to church. He also enjoys visiting the other well-known artists like Ndandarika and Ronnie Dongo where they share their ideas of art.

Master Mind

Today's featured sculpture

Master Mind by Lucky Office

 

Weight: 29 kg
Genre: Abstract
Stone type: Springstone

Sculpture information

Lucky was born in 1976 in the Hurungwe District.
He began sculpturing at the tender age of 19, after being given the opportunity to work with Moses Masaya. He worked with Moses for two years. Since 1997 he has lived and worked on his own.
Lucky’s sculpture, like those of Moses, characterises and follows the shape of the stone. Human and animal forms are frequently sculptured and refer to Shona tribal culture beliefs. These beliefs are a source of his inspiration.
Family tragedies have profoundly influenced much of Richie’s work, which often has themes that relate to human relationships, personal feelings and emotions. These sculptures are the artistic responses to deeply felt emotions by the artist. By means of his sculpture, Ritchie has discovered an eloquent and lasting means of self-expression. Feelings of sadness and insecurity often are present in his work. Evidence to this is not only found in the sculptural forms he creates, but also in the titles he gives them.
Office’s sculpture have been exhibited at the International Exhibition in Matombo Gallery, USA, Britain, Holland, Belgium and Germany.

Hearts

Today's featured sculpture:

Hearts by Chenjerai Chiripanyanga








Weight: 50kg
Genre: Abstract
Stone Type: Cobalt

Sculptor Information

One year after the successful exhibition of Chituwa Jemali and Denny Kanyemba that presented at the Chiefs and Spirits Gallerie with great pride and joy, one big sculptor talent out of Zimbabwe with the name of Chenjerai Chiripanyanga.
Chenjerai is 23 years old and has been doing work for the last 6 years as a professional sculptor in Harare. He participates in diverse exhibitions in Zimbabwe and won prizes for his work (one of them being the National Heritage Exhibition in 1992), and sells his work to very particular collectors over the whole world.
Chiripanyanga’s work is very emotional, actual and seldom political “Big” topics like Aid,s and he is not portraying Economical crises, but he is not scared to do little sculptures like the one with the sully policeman and his lovely wife forms a strong example of what he can do.
He also exhibits something different. Chenjerai is one the few Zimbabwean sculptors that does not stick to one type of stone. He uses a variety of stone types and wood and other things that he can use in his sculptures. Due to this he can work faster on his art pieces and then he can get rid of his art feelings faster too. Chenjerai is not just an outstanding sculptor, but he is also able to express his feelings in paint.
The exhibition in the gallery Chiefs & Spirits is Chenjerai’s first exhibition outside the borders of Zimbabwe. The exhibition gave a full overview of his talent. Besides his 40 sculptures from the period 1992 – 1994 that were on show, he also had his recent paintings and drawings there as well.
During the exhibition, Chenjerai was busy working in the gallery on sculptures and paintings. Approximately a thousand Zimbabwean stone was transported to Den Haag for this reason.

A Jit Dancer

Today's Sculpture is:

A Jit Dancer by Boniface Mashave

 

Weight: 9kg
Genre: Abstract
Stone type: Serpentine

Sculptor Information

 

Boniface was born on the 9th August 1956 in Chiweshe and belongs to the Zeruru tribe. He has three brothers and is married with two children.
After completing his education, Boniface worked in various jobs. He began as a construction foreman, a cooler repairman, then finally a free-lance designer.
Boniface Mashave is a second-generation sculptor. Having artistic tendencies, he turned to sculpting in 1978. He started working with wood and later changed to working in stone.
Boniface uses the beautiful stone found in Zimbabwe to his advantage, producing semi-abstract sculptures magnificently finished. Boniface’s sculptures can be seen at various showings in Zimbabwe as well as international exhibitions.
Foreign visitors to Zimbabwe as well as being presented to Heads of State by Zimbabwean Government Officials have purchased his works.
Boniface is an extremely talented artist and is one of the finest second-generation contemporary sculptors to date.

A little something about Springstone

Most of our sculptures are made out of Springstone.

Here is a little something about Springstone. Enjoy :)

SPRINGSTONE:

Springstone is a very hard iron bearing Serpentine, which is grey in colour and

polishes black when a clear natural wax polish is applied.  It is found in the “Great Dyke”

which runs in a North Easterly direction and is approximately 550km long.  Concentrated

deposits of this highly sought after fine grained stone are to be found in and around 

Tengenenge, about 150km from Harare.

Springstone usually has a reddish brown outer layer.  This is the phenomena of the stone

being oxidised and returning to nature.  The oxidised section is considerably softer than the

heart of the stone.

Springstone is an ideal medium for sculpture.  It is very hard, close grained and polishes

to a very beautiful black colour without any fissures making it ideal for sculpture.

The name “Springstone” is said to have been given to the stone by John Takawira –

a famous first generation artist who passed away in 1989 - when the chisel he was

working with would spring back at him whilst working the stone.

Moon and it's spirit

Today's Featured Sculpture:

Moon and it's spirit by Oscar Suede

 

Weight: 34kg
Genre: Spiritual
Stone type: Springstone 

Artist Information:

We apologise, the artist has not furnished us with a biography.

Sportsman

Today's featured sculpture

Sportsman by Edmore Sango

 

Weight: 47kg
Genre: Male
Stone type: Springstone

Sculptor Information

 I was born in 1977 in Guruve and received my primary education at Nyanhunzi School, my secondary education at Mamini High School.

I started sculpting at a very tender age; my inspiration was due to the fact that came from renowned carving family. During my school holidays I used to help my sister Queen and brother Brighton Sango to finish or polish their sculpture. This helped me to obtain and gain very good experience while I was still very young.
In 1995 after completing my secondary education I decided to become a fulltime sculptor. In 1998 Tom Blomefield invited me to join Tengenenge Art Group. I worked with them for two years. In 2000 I an invitation to Netherlands from a gallery called World Art Foundation to do workshop and exhibitions. It was a successful exhibitions and workshops. In 2001 I was again invited to Netherlands this time by a gallery called Kunst In Depolder, once again a successful exhibitions and workshops was held. In 2002 I was invited to Germany to Enlaoe Gallery and we had a successful exhibitions and workshops.
I now consider myself as one of the successful third generation sculptors. I have received three Merit awards from World Art Foundation, Kunst in Depolder and Enlaoe. I am still striding to further improving my sculpting techniques and sculpture.

Large Bending Torso

Today's featured sculpture

Large Bending Torso by Clever Kangadzi

 

Weight: 127kg
Genre: Female
Stone type: Opaline

Sculptor Information

Clever Kangadzi was born in a rural area in Chiweshe. He attended School in Bare Secondary and finished his “O” level in 1997.
Clever started stone carving in 1998 working as an assistant to Euparty Majengwa. He worked with him for one year. In 1999 Clever started working on his own at the Tengenenge Sculpture Community. Euparty Majengwa his art teacher gave him assistance to move from Tengenenge to Harare and they started working together. Clever started stone sculpting because he had a creative mind and even at school, he was very good at art subjects. Clever’s sculpture was similar to that of his teacher Euparty Majengwa and he developed his own styles.
Clever worked very hard to achieve everything that was possibly worth achieving in life, as art itself has already changed the lives of many of his fellow artists. His preferred working medium was springstone and opal stones.
Clever died in a car accident on the 15th November 2008.