Gift Muchenje

"Calling Head, " Opal Stone Sculpture signed by Shona artist Gift Muchenje

2003

"Monumental" is an original springstone sculpture by Shona sculptor Phineas Masaya. The artist signed the piece. This artwork features an abstracted figure. 10 1/2" x 4" x 4" art Shona artists and crafts people have been working in different media for generations. These include paintings, pottery, basket ware, wood carvings, and sculpture done in metal as well as the stone carvings. While there is not a long standing tradition of sculpture in what is now Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia), stone carvings dating from the 15th century were seen in Great Zimbabwe, an excavated temple near Bulawayo. Most of the artifacts from this location have been moved to museums in Cape Town, South Africa or London. It is generally agreed that Zimbabwean stone sculpture as seen today began during the late colonial period of the 1950's and 1960's. During this period the artists and artisans depicted many of the traditional Shona and other tribal spiritual myths. Out of all the nations in Africa, the large varieties and abundant supplies of rock formations present throughout the Zimbabwe landscape...

'Bird' is an original opal serpentine sculpture by the Zimbabwean artist Samuel Tichafa Masakwa. Trained in the Shona stone carving tradition, the artists here presents an elegantly abstracted water fowl: above the egg-shaped form of the body, the bird's long neck curls outward forming a loop. 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. opal serpentine stone 31.5 x 12 x 11 inches not signed 140 lbs Overall good condition; some scratching Samuel Tichafa Masakwa was born in 1971 on the 15th of September, the first born of nine siblings. He was educated at Zengeza No. Five Primary School and later, Zengeza Four High School. Out of keen interest, he started sculpting at a tender age of fourteen. His cousins were accomplished sculptors, Nicholas Mukomberanwa and Albert Nathan Mambura whose brotherly love nurtured the interest in him to greater heights. During Samuel's school holidays, Albert Mamvura shaped his pending career as an artist by engaging him as his assistant. In 1991 he completed his 'O' levels and began sculpting full-time at Albert's workshop. As an apprentice he learned how to carve Shona abstracts, figures and heads. While he was working with Nicholas Mukomberanwa he had the chance to learn how to clean hidden angles on hard stones like springstone, cobalt, serpentine and the original green opal. In 1996 his cousins advised him to be independent in order to explore the new avenues he was bringing into the field. He discovered he did not have his own trade mark so he went to yet another accomplished artist, Joe Mutasa...

'Relaxing Woman' is an original black serpentine sculpture by the celebrated second generation Shona artist Colleen Madamombe. The sculpture presents a character common to Madamombe's work: a woman with a round face and wearing a billowing, layered dress. She holds her hands on her knees as she sits recumbent on the ground. As is so desired of her work, this sculpture is a play in texture: her face and hands are polished and smooth, which is juxtaposed with the rough-hewn surfaces of the clothing and hair. black serpentine 905 x 16 x 11 inches Signed along the base on the reverse Acquired directly from the artist (C-24) Excellent condition with no chips or signs of wear Colleen Madamombe (1964–2009) was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. Considered to be among the finest new talents from Zimbabwe, she won the award of Best Female Artist of Zimbabwe three years in a row, and became an established figure of the Second Generation of Zimbabwean stone...

'Angel' is original black serpentine sculpture signed by the Zimbabwean artist Felix Mlungisi. In this work, the angel is stylized in the manner of the Shona s...

Contemporary bronze sculpture on marble base by Polish artist Stan Wysocki. Artwork comes from limited edition of 8. Sculpture depicts female figure filtered through geometric, synth...

RYSZARD PIOTROWSKI (born in 1952) Sculptor. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. His works include intimate, small forms in marble, bronze and silver. He specializes...

Contemporary figurative patinated bronze sculpture by Polish art master, Bronislaw Chromy. Artwork depicts a peacock bird. BRONISŁAW CHROMY (1925-2017) Sculptor, medallist, painter...

RYSZARD PIOTROWSKI (born in 1952) Sculptor. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. His works include intimate, small forms in marble, bronze and silver. He specializes...