Shona Stone Sculpture Carvers |
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Artwell's is not yet 30, but is already on his way to achieving his dream of being one of Harare's top sculptors. Born in 1981 in the rural town of Chivhu, Artwell moved to Harare to attend the Kuwadzana School, where he developed a passion for sculpting and a desire to make a living from it. Artwell was persistent in following his dream - his father wanted him to work 9 to 5 in a business or government job - but it wasn't long until he became a full time artist. Artwell is well on the way to becoming well known outside his native Zimbabwe, with his works popular in many countries around the world. In his own words: "My opinion is to publish my works and my talent all over the world and also to encourage upcoming artists who have their visions" |
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Chemedu‘s was born in Harare in 1971 to a family blessed with the gift of creating effortless, artistic beauty. Chemudu was taught the art of carving by his brother, Chituwa, a well established sculptor. Chemudu's training was also supported by another of his brothers, Salim, a full time sculptor. Chemudu is well known to the Shona art movement in Europe, recently holding successful exhibitions in both Germany and Holland. He is especially known for abstract creations, from spirit birds to stylised busts. When he is not carving, Chemedu is father to his two children, husband to his lovely wife Tendai Pintu, and an avid soccer fan following his local team, the Dynamos. |
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Collen Waduwapera is a quiet, softly spoken man who takes incredible care in his sculptures. Originally a teacher, Collen was taught by famed artist Nicholas Mukomberanwa, who provided direction to develop his extraordinary artistic skill. To this day, he is good friends with the Mukomberanwa family who have their property not far from Collen's workshop. Many carvers will call on their skill in producing "something" from almost any stone. Not Collen; not only will he take his time at the mines to make sure the right stone has been excavated, he will go so far as breaking down the shaped stone and starting over again when he is unhappy with the direction it's going. Collen's workshop closely mirrors his nature - he has planted native trees and flowering shrubs to provide an astonishingly tranquil and peaceful environment. In his own words: "Although my work is constantly changing, I generally like to portray various aspects of human life, as well as nature. I like to convey human emotions and phenomena through birds and other themes that I observe in nature and in the people that live around me" Collen is married with two children. |
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Donald has a quiet determination about his work, covering a wide range of styles and abstract creations in all manner of stones. Born in 1974 in the rural district of Raffingora to a large family with six boys and two girls, Donald was introduced to carving at the age of 16 by his brother Casten. He has worked at the Rose Charomu workshop for over 10 years. Donald and his wife, Mandy Zinyada, have two sons. From time to time, Mandy and Donald work together to complete carvings. |
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Edmore was born in Zimbabwe to a family of seven, in the Eastern Highlands town of Mutare on the border with Mozambique. He was introduced to sculpting by friend and artist, Passmore Dozva. He started sculpting with soapstone (which is common for beginners), and worked his way up to the sculpting the hard and durable Springstone (which is commonly the preference of the more "creation" style artists). Edmore has been working at the Chitungwiza Art Centre for over 8 years. He hopes the art centre, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture, will continue to grow and assist the development of up-and-coming artists. Edmore married his wife Sarah in 1988 and they have three boys. He is passionate about physical fitness and jogs as a way to release energy and keep his mind focused. |
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Joe was born on 1984 in Harare, and started sculpting while still at school at the age of 14. Joe views each piece he produces as a step on his journey to become one of Harare's top carvers, always looking for ways to further develop his style and his areas of speciality. In his own words: "From my point of view; my art is excellent, well finished sculptures of high quality stones. I would like the world to see my talent and lift me to greater heights as I believe I can do much more with your support." Joe married Ayasi Huseni in 2006 |
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When Obert started to learn the carving trade, his father, the late, Nicholas Mukomberanwa once said to him: "My son Obert, I see you have a good talent...you must continue to carve because you must follow my steps...I see that your future will be full of life" From then on, Obert's life has been carving - he sees his talent in what he calls "dealing with stones" and hopes that one day his carvings will be considered alongside his heroes - which include Joe Mutasa, Domenic Benhura and his father. He carves both small and big pieces, with a number of his sculptures displayed at the Mukuvisi Woodlands. Obert is married with one child. During his spare time he likes to keep up to date reading the local newspaper, as well as working on his drawings. |
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Robert is a promising young artist from the Mashonaland Province in the north of Zimbabwe, home of the Shona people. Born in 1981, Robert was initially interested in drawing, and was encouraged to carve stone by his world renowned teachers, Cloppas Kemere and Julius Murenza. In Robert's words: "With my career, I want to go much further exhibiting my sculptures over seas like what my teachers are doing." |
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Tamuka is one of Zimbabwe's leading sculptors. His works have been displayed and sold across Europe, North America, Australia, Asia as well as his native Zimbabwe. In his own words, Tamuka's inspiration comes from "critically observing the human social environment. I call my art ‘human expression', specializing in what happens in daily life". Tamuka sculpts all types of stones, focussing on figures depicting ideas, customs and the cultural values of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Tamuka is active in teaching stone carving to school leavers, as well as guiding his younger brother in the art of carving. His pieces have appeared on film and at the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe. Tamuka is married to Chengetai, they have two daughters and a son. In Tamuka's words: "My resolutions this year are to enter the Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition, and also acquire some land, build a house and own a gallery." |
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Born in 1982 in the remote area of Rushinga, Steven has had a love of art since he was ten years old. He learnt sculpting from his brothers Julius and Rufaro, and decided to work as independent sculptor at the age of 19. Steven demonstrates skill far beyond his years, allowing him to carve in many different styles. He also inspires trust and respect due to his commitment to his art and family, and is a role model to all in his Chitungwiza workshop. Steven says he wants to help Zimbabwe overcome its current problems by working hard and concentrating on his art to support his lovely wife, Alice, whom he married in 2002, and his daughter, Latoya, born in 2003. In his spare time, Steven says he likes to go swimming, play soccer and listen to music. In Steven's words: "As a young upcoming artist, I would have the dream of becoming known all over the world as my sculptures have seen many countries before I have." |
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William was born in 1984 to the artistic Murenza family in the northern rural area of Rushinga. He started taking an interest in sculpting when he was a teenager, learning from his brothers Stephen, Julius and Rufaro and cousin Clopas Kamere. They taught him to ensure he found his own style, which he has honed remarkably to create his own form of stylised faces and complete abstract art in various stones. William is married Stembile Gasti and they have a daughter, Brenda. |
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Tuarai was born in 1977 near the Mozambique border town of Nyanga. He moved to Harare in 1994, and learnt sculpting from the late Julius Chinhoyi - he was particularly captivated by abstract family centred works, which is now his trademark style. Taurai now works in the largest township in Zimbabwe, Chitungwiza, in the industrial area of Chikwana. In this compound, he also works with Donald Chapenga. With his wife Alga, he has a boy Tafadzwa and girl Regina. |
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Terrence was born in 1981 into a (very) large and incredibly artistic family of eight children. Whilst he longed to be a carver, and there were many artists living and working around him, his education was his first priority. He worked hard during his schooling and went on to become a qualified teacher. But his passion for sculpting remained and at every chance he steadily chipped away at large lumps of Springstone. He was particularly drawn to the notion of creating flow and movement from cold hard stone. His job as a teacher saw him transferred to the rural areas where it was difficult to stay connected to the sculpting community. So after some years and deliberation, he decided to move back to Chitungwiza to become a full time sculptor. Terrence is well known in Chitungwiza for his love for sculpting and his desire to remain unmarried for as long as possible.... |
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Born in 1976 in the eastern highland town of Nyanga, Wilbert spent most of his childhood herding cattle and hunting. At the age of 15, he became the village blacksmith, fashioning axe-heads and spearheads. After arriving in the Harare district, he was befriended by Moses Masaya, a well know artist, and began his apprenticeship. Masaya taught him that each sculpture was to be unique rather than a replica of a previous work, a philosophy which he follows to this day. Wilbert now runs his own sculpture garden, and has a number of assistants. He is married to Patricia and they have one boy and one girl - he also belongs to the Apostolic Faith Mission. In his spare time, he's a family man, and spends that time with them. |
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Brighton was born in 1974 and grew up in the high density suburb of Mbare, in Harare After finishing his schooling in 1991, Brighton began training for two years under the late Daniel Muvurimi along with artist Samson Kurehwatira until he felt he was skilled enough to try it by himself. His works have been sold to buyers from all over the world and have been on display at the Chapungu Gallery in Harare and the Zimbabwe National Gallery. His works are of a creative style with lovers, mother and children and families among his usual themes. He married Ellen in 1993 and they have three children. His free time is usually spent listening to music, going to church and watching soccer. |
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Inos was born in 1980 in Harare. He completed his secondary education in 1997. Inos developed a passion for sculpting after seeing the work of Nicholas Mukomberanwa. In 1998, a friend invited Inos to join him at the Kubatana Arts Co-op on the outskirts of Harare where he began to learn the art. Being a self taught artist, Inos feels proud that his pieces have found their way to different areas of the world. He carves many of his pieces with a social attachment as he observes people and tries to relay some of what he sees into his works. At present, he is unmarried. |
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Leeroy was born in Harare in 1986 to a family of six children....all having their first name starting with the letter "L". He completed his schooling in Warren Park...an area on the outskirts of Harare. Leeroy's father was Noel Mwanza who was a respected artist. Noel sadly passed away in September 2009 and part of the responsibility to provide for the family now falls on Leeroy's shoulders. Leeroy does not have a large variety of styles and mainly confines his work to lovers and ducks, but the finish of his sculptures is glass-like. He is married to Loveness and they have a daughter named Lisa.
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Onward was born in Guruve, a small rural town north of Harare. He stared sculpting at a very young age. All his brothers were carvers but it was the influence of his late brother Brighton, that inspired him to become an artist. Throughout his school years, his apprenticeship took place after school hours and the weekends helping his brothers sand and polish their sculptures and eventually practicing with hammer and chisel. The area in which he still lives, Guruve, has a very colorful serpentine. This stone gives character to his sculptures just with the patterns shown. Onward and his wife Clarisse have three children. |
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Lovemore was born on the 10th August 1975 in Mozambique, he now lives in the largest "township" in Zimbabwe, Chitungwiza.
He feels lucky to have been taught by renowned artist Nesbert Mukomberanwa from 1992 until 2000, when he started out by himself. In 1996 he married Jerrina Jonfan and they have a son and a daughter together. Sadly, Jerrina was diagnosed with septic arthritis and died on the 23rd January 2010.
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When Obert started to learn the carving trade, his father, the late, Nicholas Mukomberanwa once said to him: "My son Obert, I see you have a good talent...you must continue to carve because you must follow my steps...I see that your future will be full of life"
From then on, Obert's life has been carving - he sees his talent in what he calls "dealing with stones" and hopes that one day his carvings will be considered alongside his heroes - which include Joe Mutasa, Domenic Benhura and his father. He carves both small and big pieces, with a number of his sculptures displayed at the Mukuvisi Woodlands. Obert is married with one child. During his spare time he likes to keep up to date reading the local newspaper, as well as working on his drawings. |
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Oscar's biography will be updated soon...
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Charles was born in 1975 in the village of Magaya near the rural town of Marondera. He attended both primary and secondary schools in the capital Harare. He believes he was born to be an artist and grew up in a community where artists were very common. This allowed him to visit different workshops after school hours and on weekends and he soon became inspired. It was in high school when he was invited by his (to be) mentor and prominent artist Masanizo Vissenscio who gave the budding scholar instructions on how to "talk to the stone". In 2009 Charles married Gwendolyn Mwanza and they have a baby daughter. Charles has participated in several local exhibitions, namely: • Mavambo Art Group 2000. |
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Like to find out more about Shona Stone Sculptures and the Carvers? Call us on 0415 638 415 or email alyssa@africanartdirect.com.au. We are in partnership with Stone of Shona, specialists in Zimbabwean Shona Stone Sculptures. For more information on the sculptures displayed on this website including prices and delivery, please contact www.stoneofshona.com.au. |
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