Evocative Stone Sculpture by Zimbabwe Artist Wilbert Mapundo

'Protected by Spirits' is an original springstone sculpture by the Zimbabwean artists Tendai Marowa and Stanley Chideu. The sculpture presents a tall and curving face with a ring-sha...

'Bird' is an original opal serpentine sculpture by the Zimbabwean artist Samuel Tichafa Masakwa. Trained in the Shona stone carving tradition, the artists here presents an elegantly abstracted water fowl: above the egg-shaped form of the body, the bird's long neck curls outward forming a loop. Such abstracted forms recall traditional African sculpture as well as the work of modern masters like Constantin Brancusi who looked to non-Western sources for inspiration. opal serpentine stone 31.5 x 12 x 11 inches not signed 140 lbs Overall good condition; some scratching Samuel Tichafa Masakwa was born in 1971 on the 15th of September, the first born of nine siblings. He was educated at Zengeza No. Five Primary School and later, Zengeza Four High School. Out of keen interest, he started sculpting at a tender age of fourteen. His cousins were accomplished sculptors, Nicholas Mukomberanwa and Albert Nathan Mambura whose brotherly love nurtured the interest in him to greater heights. During Samuel's school holidays, Albert Mamvura shaped his pending career as an artist by engaging him as his assistant. In 1991 he completed his 'O' levels and began sculpting full-time at Albert's workshop. As an apprentice he learned how to carve Shona abstracts, figures and heads. While he was working with Nicholas Mukomberanwa he had the chance to learn how to clean hidden angles on hard stones like springstone, cobalt, serpentine and the original green opal. In 1996 his cousins advised him to be independent in order to explore the new avenues he was bringing into the field. He discovered he did not have his own trade mark so he went to yet another accomplished artist, Joe Mutasa...

'Scratching Bird' is an original opal serpentine stone sculpture signed by the contemporary Zimbabwean artist Chenjerai Chiripanyanga. The artist presents in this sculpture a highly abstracted figure of a bird, the long beak and eye of which emerges shining and polished from within the rough-hewn surface of the stone. Though Chiripanyanga is trained in the Shona stone carving tradition, the way that the bird seems to be revealed out of the stone reminds of the "unfinished" sculptures of Michelangelo...

'Dressed For Tonight' is an original black serpentine stone sculpture signed by the Zimbabwean artist Rangarirai Makunde. The sculpture presents the figure of a tall and elegant woma...

'Honeymoon' is an original springstone sculpture by the Zimbabwean artists Tendai Marowa and Stanley Chideu. The sculpture presents a tall and elegant figure. The figure is highly st...

"I Am Beautiful" is an original opal stone sculpture by Savheri Chirwa, a contemporary Shona sculptor. This sculpture features an elongated face with textu...

'Preoccupied' is an original black serpentine sculpture by the celebrated second generation Shona artist Colleen Madamombe. The sculpture presents a character common to Madamombe's w...

'Meditation' original opal serpentine sculpture signed by Zimbabwean artist Dudzai Mushawepwere. The sculpture uses abstraction in the human figure to capture an abstract state of mind: the sculpture presents the form of a woman, her hips wide and arms long. Her arms reach over and hold her circular head, which floats neckless above the torso like a nearly-setting sun. The figure thusly separates their mind and thoughts from their bodily and earthly concerns and instead connects themselves to the heavens. The image reminds of the dancer drawings...

'Fish Totem' is an original springstone sculpture by the Zimbabwean artist Obert Mukumbi. The sculpture presents an interactive and playful combination of subjects, both of which are beloved themes in the Shona tradition. As one faces the sculpture, they are presented at first with a pair of figures: an adult and child, one towering above the other. Surrounding them like a shawl is a mandorla-form, which emphasizes their tall upward posture and movement. This pair of figures emphasizes close relationships and family ties. As one walks around the sculpture, however, the almond shape transforms into the body of a boldly striped fish. This duality of human and animal brings mysticism and transformation to the sculpture and suggests the power and vitality of nature in sustenance and spirit. springstone signed "Obert Mukumbi" along bottom edge 34.5 x 7 x 12 inches concrete base included at buyer request hole drilled into bottom to accommodate steel support rod Overall excellent condition with no signs of wear or damage. Obert Mukumbi was born on February 11, 1974 in the village of Dengu in Bindura, some 86 kilometers north east of Harare, Zimbabwe, where he likewise completed his O-levels in school. During his education, he was interested in wood craft. By age twelve, however, he began working in stone under the guidance and encouragement of his brother Kennedy Musekiwa...

"Celebrations (C-56)" is an original black serpentine stone sculpture by Colleen Madamombe. The artist signed the piece, and it weighs 228 pounds. This piece features a woman with a ...