Art: Zimbabwe’s Shona Sculpture

Shona Sculpture [Zimbabwe]

[Image credit: Celebration; Boet Nyariri – Guruve]

Under the skillful hands of a master craftsman or woman cold hard stone gradually yields to the forms it is being coaxed into, eventually giving way to some stunning pieces of sculpture in a process that requires patience, dedication and an understanding of the material being used. Powerful and evocative, Shona Sculpture is a revered artform sought by collectors across the globe. Instantly recognisible and spawning many an imitation; Shona Sculpture as an art form started in the late 1950s and has, and continues to produce noted artists; amongst them: Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Henry Munyaradzi, John Takawira (all late), Dominic Benhura and Collen Madamombe; with some artists belonging to the different generations of an individual family’s as the skill gets passed down. The impressive sculptures that can weigh several tonnes are hewn out of stones like Serpentine and Opalstone making them solid, very heavy and at times imposing works of art. In addition to indoor, the stone used makes them perfect for outdoor display. Walking around Harare City Centre and throughout the country you can often see large commissioned pieces installed outside office buildings and other prominent places. At its best view, the displays in Sculpture gardens, one of the well-known ones in Zimbabwe is Chapungu Sculpture Park home to one of the most important collections of the art form in the world today. Internationally there is Guruve in the UK; Chapungu Sculpture Park Colorado in the USA to name a few.

[Image credit: ‘The First Born’, 2005; Gedion Nyanhongo – Chapungu Sculpture Park]

Beware the imitations that line the streets from vendors hoping to entice tourists looking to pick up a memento; although skillfully carved they are usually crafted out of soapstone which is cheaper and as the name suggests is very soft; one knock on a table can break the piece in half with little or no effort – I know of many that have not even survived transit in a suitcase. Soapstone is also prone to scratches; all this is speaking from experience having lost most of my little soapstone statues to breakages… and they were beautifully carved too. Having said that soapstone carvings are very popular and can be seen in homes across the country.

[Image credit: ‘The Thinker’, 2001; Boniface Mushave – Chapungu Sculpture Park]

Thought-provoking and highly creative, Shona sculpture is often used as a vehicle to highlight the pressing issues of the day in literal and abstract forms. Visually striking, the sculptures are often polished to a shiny, smooth finish that you just can’t help but instinctively reach out and rub your hands along the cool sleek lines.

[Image credit: ‘Keeping the History’; Agnes Nyanhongo – Chapungu Sculpture Park]

…work that speaks volumes without having to say a word…

Additional details:
Prices for select items on the Chapungu Sculpture Park website: USD$80-USD$120,000
Prices for select items on the Guruve website range from: £175 -£15,000
To find out more about Chapungu Sculpture Park in Harare and Colorado visit: www.chapungusculpturepark.com
To find out more about Guruve visit: www.guruve.com