Soul Searching by Willard Bopoto, Avocado Stone, Unique, 79cm high, 53cm wide, 42cm deep
Unique abstract Shona avocado stone sculpture. Part of The Spirit in Stone Exhibition.
Spirit in Stone
Zimbabwean Sculpture Exhibition
Presented by The Sculpture Park
Churt, GU10 2LB
Summer 2025
- Affordable and investment stone artwork
• Proceeds support the Sanganai Sculpture Academy in Zimbabwe
• Live sculpting on-site from resident artist Biggie Chikodzi
• Hundreds of beautiful traditional and contemporary Shona sculptures on display
These are not just sculptures, they are stories of survival and spirit, carved under the harsh sun of rural Zimbabwe. Over sixty, predominantly female artists create in extreme conditions, without shade or clean water. Spirit in Stone honours their resilience. Proceeds support clean water and shaded workspaces at Sanganai Art Centre.
Soul Searching by Willard Bopoto
Soul Searching is a unique abstract Shona sculpture by acclaimed Zimbabwean artist Willard Bopoto. Carved from warm-toned avocado stone, the piece embodies the expressive power of Shona artistry, which often draws on themes of identity, spirituality, and the human experience.
Bopoto uses the natural qualities of avocado stone, its subtle colour variations and fine-grained texture, to enhance the meditative presence of the work.
As with much of Bopoto’s work, Soul Searching is not tied to a literal likeness but instead embraces abstraction to encourage the viewer’s imagination. The absence of defined features invites a personal interpretation, making the piece universal rather than individual. It resonates with ideas of seeking clarity, inner strength, and spiritual balance.
