Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Rangarirai Makunde
'Famine' original Shona stone sculpture signed by Rangarirai Makunde

2003

About the Item

'Famine' is an original springstone sculpture signed by the Zimbabwean artist Rangarirai Makunde. The sculpture presents a solitary figure who stands facing directly forward. He holds a bowl in his hands, showing the viewer the emptiness it contains. As Makunde was trained in the Shona stone carving tradition, the sculpture reflects the visual heritage of African sculpture: the figure's face is round and mask-like, with squared, straight nose and eyes that furrow at the brow. The pose of the figure likewise recalls the frontality of figurative carving seen across the African continent (such as the minkisi figures of the Congolese peoples to the North). Nonetheless, the subject here is human and emotive and his plight reflects problems both local and universal. springstone 42 x 18.5 x 14 inches 300+ lbs signed "R. Makunde" along base on rear Overall excellent condition with no signs of wear *** Rangarirai Makunde was born in 1969 in Masvingo Bikita District. In his early twenties he moved to Harare, seeking better employment opportunities than were offered in his hometown. He went to Gladman Zinyeka, his uncle, who had already created a name for himself. He worked for two years as his assistant and admired the way he created his sculptures. Makunde is one of the most acclaimed artists of the new generation of Shona sculptors. He carves from observation to bring form out of stone. He began sculpting full time which enabled him to develop his own unique style. With stone sculpting, he finally discovered a means of expressing himself. His favorite stones to work with are the hardest ones. His creations radiate a distinctively vibrant energy and color. Makunde takes particular pride in his finishes and unlike many of the other sculptors, he prefers to do the last stage of polishing himself, up to the final finish. "As an artist, I could express what is already in the stone without disrupting its natural force." *** Though springstone is one of the hardest in use by the Shona sculptors of Zimbabwe, it is one of the most prized. The stone itself can be found throughout the world, but that used by Shona sculptors is largely mined by hand out of the Guruve District of Zimbabwe. The stone has a soft brown outer layer, but is dark and dense within, making it popular for its color and its ability to be brought to a high polish.
  • Creator:
    Rangarirai Makunde (1969, Zimbabwean)
  • Creation Year:
    2003
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 42 in (106.68 cm)Width: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Depth: 14 in (35.56 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Overall excellent condition with no signs of wear.
  • Gallery Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 11553g1stDibs: LU60537179842
More From This SellerView All
  • Africa Female Artist Stone Sculpture Figure Celebrate Modern Contemporary Signed
    By Colleen Madamombe
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Celebrations (C-56)" is an original black serpentine stone sculpture by Colleen Madamombe. The artist signed the piece, and it weighs 228 pounds. This piece features a woman with a ...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • "My Dear Friend, " Green Serpentine Stone signed by Chemedu Jemali a Shona
    By Chemedu Jemali
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "My Dear Friend" is a green serpentine stone signed by Chemedu Jemali who is a African Shona. The body of the figure is a fluid shape with their left hand in...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • "Traditional Dresser, " Opal Stone Sculpture by Shona Sculptor Washington Msonza
    By Washington Msonza
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Traditional Dresser" is an original opal serpentine sculpture signed by the Zimbabwean artist Washington Msonza. The sculpture features a single elegant figure in a flowing gown, standing tall and averting her gaze as she clutches the veil that envelops her. Msonza emphasizes the materiality of the work, as is so desired of artists trained in the Shona tradition, by differentiating between the dark, smooth polish of her skin and the lighter textured surface of her clothes. Even more, passages of the surface are left in the serpentine's rough natural state, allowing the green-colored stone to contrast with the red-orange oxidization of its environment. opal stone (serpentine) 37.5 x 12.5 x 13 inches signed "Msonza W" on reverse along base Overall good condition; some minor scratches, likely as the sculpture left artist's studio. Washington Msonza was born in 1966 in Domboshava where he attended primary school. He then moved to Chitungwiza to attend secondary schooling. While in school, he spent most of his time watching his brother-in-law Albert Mamvura also a sculptor, whose workshop was close to his house. In 1988 Msonza began assisting Albert full time, while simultaneously gaining experience by watching other well known artists in the area including Gedion Nyanhongo...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • "Calling Head, " Opal Stone Sculpture signed by Shona artist Gift Muchenje
    By Gift Muchenje
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Calling Head" is an original opal stone sculpture by Gift Muchenje. The artist signed the piece and it weighs 155 lbs. This artwork features a woman with ...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • "Joyful Bowler, " Serpentine Sculpture signed by Felix Mlungisi an African Shona
    By Felix Mlungisi
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Joyful Bowler" is a serpentine sculpture signed by Felix Mlungisi an African Shona. This figure is shown squatting and looking upwards with eyes closed. Their hair is not polished s...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • 'Family' original signed Shona stone sculpture by Wonder Mazhindu Bumhira
    By Wonder Mazhindu Bumhira
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    'Family' is an original stone sculpture signed by Zimbabwean artist Wonder Mazhindu Bumhira. The composition is an example of the family groupings, with each figure arranged as though they were a flower in a bouquet, that are so desired from Shona sculptors. Though the figures are ambiguous and stylized, the figures are arranged using a hierarchy of scale: the matriarch (perhaps a grandmother) towers over the other members of her family, with her children and grandchildren below. Thusly, sculptures like this present a vision of family structure and unity. opal stone (serpentine) 36 x 13.5 x 11 inches signed 'W. Maz' along base Overall good condition. Please contact us for a complete condition assessment. Born on January 17th, 1982 in East Mashonaland, Harare, Wonder (often spelled Wander) is the fifth born of a family of 6...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

You May Also Like
  • Gorila - 21st Century, Contemporary Sculpture, Figurative, Marble, Iron
    Located in Barcelona, Catalonia
    Aparici's work is characterized by simplicity, since most of his pieces bring together few elements, resulting in very elegant compositions with simple lines, which together with his...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Marble, Iron

  • Prada Sculpture Lapis Lazuli on Marble Big Blue Art In Stock
    By Theo Mackaay
    Located in Utrecht, NL
    Prada Sculpture Lapis Lazuli on Marble Big Blue Art In Stock Theo Mackaay (1950) Mackaay works with recognizable shape:: women, men and animals, with a pointer at the primal form. ...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Marble

  • Danza ( Dance ) - hand carved figurative Carrara marble frieze relief sculpture
    By Lorenzo Vignoli
    Located in San Francisco, CA
    DANZA (Dance) by Lorenzo Vignoli striking hand carved Carrara marble frieze relief by contemporary Italian sculptor Lorenzo Vignoli, incorporating mesmer...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone, Marble

  • Boxing Head Gear by KARTEL - unique handcarved marble sculpture - smooth finish
    By KARTEL
    Located in Dallas, TX
    This is a gorgeous hand-carved black marble head gear. The marble is polished and has an amazing tactile feeling. This piece celebrates our connection to e...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone, Marble

  • Continued Conversations IV
    By Deborah Ballard
    Located in Dallas, TX
    The figure has always been Deborah Ballard’s muse in her sculptures. Ballard works in bronze, cast stone, and plaster; her figures ranging from life-size to hand-size. Ballard says, ...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Sculptures

    Materials

    Cast Stone, Iron

  • Rethinking It All
    By Deborah Ballard
    Located in Dallas, TX
    This sculpture is cast and manipulated stone, fiberglass, iron, and casters. Deborah Ballard is best known for conceiving of figures and groupings of figures who relate to one anoth...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Cast Stone, Iron

Recently Viewed

View All