Calling Bird by Phillip Kotokwa, Springstone, Unique, 19cm high, 25cm wide, 15cm deep

Calling Bird by Phillip Kotokwa is a distinctive example of contemporary Shona stone sculpture, carved from a single piece of fine Springstone. This unique work, measuring 19 cm high by 25 cm wide and 15 cm deep, embodies Kotokwa’s minimalist approach and his sensitivity to both form and material. The sculpture depicts a bird poised in the act of calling, its body rendered with graceful simplicity and harmonious curves that capture a sense of alertness and vitality. The artist contrasts highly polished surfaces with areas of raw, natural texture. The smooth, gleaming body reflecting light like water, while the unpolished tail retains the organic grain of the stone. This interplay between refinement and rawness speaks to Kotokwa’s deep respect for the natural qualities of the material, as well as the Shona tradition of finding spirit and movement within stone.