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Joel Nhete
'Owl' original opal serpentine Shona sculpture signed by Joel Nhete

2004

About the Item

'Owl' is an original opal serpentine stone sculpture signed by the contemporary Zimbabwean artist Joel Nhete. The artist presents in this sculpture a highly abstracted figure of a wide-eyed owl, its eyes like rings and its beak like a needle. The bird's head seems to be lilting in its balance on the curving neck, or perhaps turning to the side in curious attention. Such abstracted forms recall traditional African sculpture as well as the work of modern masters like Constantin Brancusi who looked to non-Western sources for inspiration. The sculpture's surface is brought to a beautiful polish, allowing the green of the serpentine to create a glittering depth as immense as a lake or river. opal serpentine 36 x 22.5 x 11.5 inches base in images included at request of buyer signed "Nhete Joel" on reverse along bottom edge with hole drilled in foot to accommodate 0.5-inch steel support rod overall good condition; some minor wear and abrasions Joel Nhete was born in Chitungwiza in 1971 in a family of five boys. He lives in the suburb of Seke in Chitungwiza where he went to high school and completed his 'O' levels. He was very skilled in art school and became attracted to sculpting after being inspired by the Kanyemba carving family. He now is a full time sculptor. With his brother Johnathan, he lives and works in Chitungwiza, a vibrant artist community half an hour from Harare. Joel has had his work shown in Harare City National Gallery, Chapungu Gallery and Shields of Africa, as well as being involved in group exhibitions at Zimbabwe's John Boyne Gallery, Natinos Galleries of Zimbabwe, Australia, Belgium and Holland.
  • Creator:
    Joel Nhete (1971)
  • Creation Year:
    2004
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 36 in (91.44 cm)Width: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Depth: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    overall good condition; some minor wear and abrasions.
  • Gallery Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 11483g1stDibs: LU60537559892
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