The Sculpture Park at RHS Wisley Flower Show this week

Spirit in Stone

Spirit in Stone celebrates the remarkable resilience and creativity of more than 60 Zimbabwean Shona sculptors at the Sanganai Sculpture Academy in rural Guruve. Working under the open sky, often without shade, clean water, proper sanitation or basic tools, these artists transform locally sourced stone into powerful traditional and contemporary sculptures. Among them are around 40 women, including widows and grandparents caring for orphaned children. Their work reflects themes of strength, heritage, community, loss and hope, with each sculpture carrying a story of the people and land from which it emerged.

Shona sculpture is renowned for its hand-carved, organic forms, often depicting people, animals, spirits, ancestors and the natural world. Artists work with stones such as serpentine and springstone, allowing the natural colour, texture and character of the material to shape the finished piece. Spirit in Stone(opens in new tab) goes beyond celebrating this important artistic tradition—it also aims to support the artists and their community. Funds raised through the exhibition will help provide shaded working areas, clean water, kitchen facilities, toilets and essential tools. Visitors can explore hundreds of sculptures, watch live carving and purchase artwork, with every purchase helping to sustain the artists and bring their stories of resilience from the stone into the wider world.