Shona
Shona sculpture is the name given to a modern movement of stone carved sculpture created in Zimbabwe. It gets its name from the ‘Shona’ tribe of people (actually a mixture of many similar tribes with closely related language and culture) who are the largest in Zimbabwe. The country itself gets its name thanks to the Shona people’s long artisanal tradition of stone working, meaning “house of stone”. The traditional stone carving of the Shona people was never particularly wide-spread or as culturally significant as it is in modern times however. Stone work was primarily done for construction or decoration, with one such key example being the Great Zimbabwe Settlement. This was a sixty acre city which was constructed from carved stone, and housed up to 18,000 people at its height. Now a world heritage site, this 11th – 15th century city demonstrates the historic skill and innovation of the Shona tribe.
The Shona relationship with the ground and the stone it provided in abundance was linked closely to their spiritual and cultural practices. As a result, it was historically the case that such works were not exported, nor created as artistic works to be enjoyed in such a way. Modern Shona sculpture is an evolution of this tradition, which begun in the mid 1900’s as an emerging artistic movement. The Shona peoples relationship and instinct to use this material creatively in a way that hadn’t been done before in the area led to a huge growth in the production and appreciation of such works. In particular, the involvement of Frank McEwen, and English artist, teacher and museum work was instrumental in bringing this burgeoning movement to international attention. His efforts led to the founding of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and his enthusiasm to help give the Shona people a voice through their art lead to the first generation of renowned Shona artists gaining international attention. Works by artists such as Bernard Matemera, Henry Munyaradzi, and Sylvester Mubayi now sell for upwards of six figures, and their works are coveted and highly respected.
The Shona art movement is relatively young, and is still evolving and growing. The refreshing design and traditional approach of Shona sculptors make their works popular and attractive to collectors and art lovers the world over. The uniqueness of the subject, style and material of these pieces means that their popularity and desirability is certain to continue growing as more of the world becomes aware of the talent and skill of these artists.
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Abstract
Kore Kore Man by Bernard Matemera
£4,800 inc VATKore Kore Man by Bernard Matemera, Serpentine Stone
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Abstract
Waiting for My Lover by Ekel Nyamhondoro
£300 inc VATWaiting for My Lover by Ekel Nyamhondoro, Serpentine Stone
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Animals and Birds
Elephant by Innocent Nyashenga
£102 inc VATElephant by Innocent Nyashenga, Fruit Serpentine
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Abstract
Sharing My Love by Samson Kuvhengurwa
Original price was: £240.£100Current price is: £100. inc VATSharing My Love by Samson Kuvhengurwa, Serpentine Stone
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Abstract
Motherly Love by Samson Kuvhengurwa
Original price was: £240.£100Current price is: £100. inc VATNew Family Member by Samson Kuvhengurwa, Serpentine Stone
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Abstract
My Grandmother by Tendai Kapfudze
£354 inc VATMy Grandmother by Tendai Kapfudze, Serpentine Stone
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Abstract
The Laughing Man by Samson Kuvhengurwa
Original price was: £180.£145Current price is: £145. inc VATThe Laughing Man by Samson Kuvhengurwa, Serpentine Stone
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Animals and Birds
Giraffe Knot Family by Fungai Dodzo
£300 inc VATGiraffe Knot Family by Fungai Dodzo, Serpentine Stone
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Abstract
Waiting for a Kiss by Timothy Rukodzi
£540 inc VATWaiting for a Kiss by Timothy Rukodzi, Leopard Stone
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Alfred Mutuke
Motherly Love by Alfred Mutuke
Original price was: £600.£300Current price is: £300. inc VATMotherly Love by Alfred Mutuke, Springstone
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Abstract
Wise Owl by Munyaradzi Jeche
Original price was: £3,600.£3,000Current price is: £3,000. inc VATWise Owl by Munyaradzi Jeche, Opal Stone
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Animals and Birds
Bird Bath by Innocent Nyashenga
Original price was: £2,400.£2,000Current price is: £2,000. inc VATBird Bath by Innocent Nyashenga, Opal Stone
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Abstract
Intelligent Man by Wonder Chiwaridzo
£1,800 inc VATIntelligent Man by Wonder Chiwaridzo, Leopard Stone
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Animals and Birds
Engaging with Nature by Lucknos Chingwaru
£6,000 inc VATEngaging with Nature by Lucknos Chingwaru, Opal Stone
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Contemporary
Giving a Lesson by Tinei Mashaya
£1,500 inc VATGiving a Lesson by Tinei Mashaya, Opal Stone
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Contemporary
A Woman’s Strength by Tinei Mashaya
£1,500 inc VATA Woman’s Strength by Tinei Mashaya, Springstone
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Animals and Birds
Relaxing Swan by Innocent Nyashenga
Original price was: £1,200.£650Current price is: £650. inc VATRelaxing Swan by Innocent Nyashenga, Opal Stone
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Animals and Birds
Ready to Fly by Innocent Nyashenga
Original price was: £1,800.£1,500Current price is: £1,500. inc VATReady to Fly by Innocent Nyashenga, Opal Stone
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Animals and Birds
Staying Attached by Fannie Mupanga
£4,800 inc VATStaying Attached by Fannie Mupanga, Opal Stone
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Abstract
The Life of an Artist by Bywell Sango
£5,400 inc VATThe Life of an Artist by Bywell Sango, Cobalt Stone
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Animals and Birds
Happy Together by Tinei Mashaya
£4,800 inc VATHappy Together by Tinei Mashaya, Springstone
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Contemporary
Man in the Moon by Godfrey Kurari
Original price was: £2,800.£2,200Current price is: £2,200. inc VATMan in the Moon by Godfrey Kurari, Cobalt Stone
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Animals and Birds
Calling Bird by Peter Chidzonga
£2,400 inc VATCalling Bird by Peter Chidzonga, Springstone
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Animals and Birds
Salsa by Passmore Mupindiko
£4,500 inc VATSalsa by Passmore Mupindiko, Springstone
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Abstract
Swing to the Music by Peter Gwisa
Original price was: £6,000.£5,500Current price is: £5,500. inc VATSwing to the Music by Peter Gwisa, Springstone
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Contemporary
African Beauty by Tutani Mugavazi
Original price was: £6,000.£5,500Current price is: £5,500. inc VATAfrican Beauty by Tutani Mugavazi, Springstone
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Abstract
We are Travellers by Victor Matafi
£7,800 inc VATWe are Travellers by Victor Matafi, Opal Stone
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Contemporary
Loving my Curls by David White
£5,400 inc VATLoving my Curls by David White, Opal Stone
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Abstract
Walking into a New Life by Tonderai Sowa
Original price was: £8,400.£6,000Current price is: £6,000. inc VATWalking into a New Life by Tonderai Sowa, Springstone
Monumental Shona Zimbabwe Springstone Sculpture Suitable for Garden of Public Outdoor Display
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Contemporary
Finding the Right Way by Victor Matafi
£30,000 inc VATFinding the Right Way by Victor Matafi, Opal Stone
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Abstract
Caring for the Young by Peter Chidzonga
Original price was: £4,500.£4,000Current price is: £4,000. inc VATCaring for the Young by Peter Chidzonga, Springstone
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Abstract
Bubble of Joy by Peter Gwisa
Original price was: £4,200.£3,500Current price is: £3,500. inc VATBubble of Joy by Peter Gwisa, Springstone
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Abstract
Tender Love by Nesbit Mukomberanwa
£2,100 inc VATTender Love by Nesbit Mukomberanwa, Springstone
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Animals and Birds
Birdbath by Innocent Nyashenga
£950 inc VATBirdbath by Innocent Nyashenga, Springstone
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Abstract
In Love with Learning by Ephious Chivhanga
£6,900 inc VATIn Love with Learning by Ephious Chivhanga, Opal Stone
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Animals and Birds
The Big Five by Tendai Chipiri
£12,000 inc VATThe Big Five by Tendai Chipiri, Opal Stone