Zimbabwean Art Info
Sango Art Gallery
Modern African stone sculpture is not “traditional”, although much of its subject matter has traditional roots. During the pre-colonial era, local inhabitants were already artistically pre-disposed, fashioning various natural materials in the form of fibres, wood, clay and stone for functional, aesthetic and ritual purposes.
The first gallery opened in Zimbabwe in 1957: The Rhodes National Gallery, where its director Frank McEwen gave opportunities to new African artists. This lead to an establishment of the first generation of Shona sculptors.
First generation (1956-1980)
The first generation of Shona sculptors consists of the following artists:
- Henry Munyaradzi
- Joram Mariga
- The Mukomberanwa family
- Ephraim Chaurika
- Akuda Fanzani
- Joseph Ndandarika
- Bernard Takawira
- John Takawira
- Lazarus Takawira
- Bernard Matemera
- Sylvester Mubayi
- Henry Mukarobgwa
- Thomas Mukarobgwa
- Adam Madebe
Many of these artists have works featured in The British Museum and other notable galleries around the world.
Second generation (1980-1990)
The second generation of Shona sculptors consists of the following artists:
Third generation (1990-2001)