History

The Next Generation

The past 20 years have also seen the impact of the second and third generation sculptors, spearheaded by Tapfuma Gutsa who, apart from his own sculptural genius, has inspired many young talents.  Other major second-generation artists include Dominic Benhura, Joseph Muzondo, Arthur Fata, Agnes and Gedion Nyanhongo, Eddie Masaya, Joe Mutasa, Colleen Madamombe, Amos Supuni, Anderson Mukomberanwa, Taylor Nkomo, Rachel Ndandarika, Fabian Madamombe, and Fungayi Mwarowa.  These artists are exploring new dimensions, not always related to spiritual and cultural beliefs, but often to topical and social issues, relationships between people and within families, and political and environmental matters.

How then can one describe the main features of this 50 year old movement, and account for its powerful and sometimes dramatic effect on viewers?  Zimbabwe sculpture is direct; it is powerfully human; it is seductive, beautiful and often emotive; and it is truthful, both to its material, which artists believe has an innate spiritual life force of its own, and to its subject matter.  Uniquely, quietly, and without prompting, it has recorded in considerable depth a peoples culture in sculptural form – with major art works inspired by deep cultural roots.

Although many of the acknowledged first generation artists are no longer with us, a strong body of inspired and dedicated stone sculptors remain, and there exists vast depths of artistic talent throughout Zimbabwe.  

“These giant stone sculptures are the most hauntingly evocative images to come out of Africa in the past century. . . the greatest contemporary collection of African art ever to be seen in this country.”
Evening Standard, May 2000, reviewing ‘Chapungu – Custom and Legend, A Culture in Stone’, Kew Gardens, London.