Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Josphat Makenzi
'Eye Witness' original Shona stone sculpture signed by Josphat Makenzi

2002

About the Item

'Eye Witness' is an original opal serpentine sculpture signed by the Zimbabwean artist Josphat Makenzi. Makenzi was trained in the contemporary Shona stone carving tradition, and thus his works take on themes from African as well as from European art history. His sculptures of the human face have the abstracted qualities of traditional African sculptures and masks in how they reduce the features of the face to a series of layered geometric forms. Thusly, they also recall the work of Modernist artists who looked to Africa as a source of novel formal imagery, such as subtle ovoid faces of Constantin Brancusi and the cubism of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. The sculpture 'Eye Witness' is an elegant example of this, with the figure's head atop a long and slender neck and tilting to one side as though carefully listening. opal stone (serpentine) 19.5 x 9 x 8 inches signed "J. Makenzi" along base on reverse Overall good condition; minor scratch above eyebrow and on cheek Josphat Makenzi was born in 1975 in Rushinga District, Mash-Central in Zimbabwe. He went to Chimhanda Secondary School where he completed his ‘O’ Levels in 1992, after which he decided to embark on a career in the making of stone sculptures. Josphat produces sculptures in a variety of stone types and with subjects ranging from the human and animal to the abstract.
  • Creator:
    Josphat Makenzi (1975)
  • Creation Year:
    2002
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Overall good condition; minor scratch above eyebrow and on cheek.
  • Gallery Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 11042g1stDibs: LU60537179702
More From This SellerView All
  • 'Dancing in the Wind' original Shona stone sculpture by Wellington Karuru
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    'Dancing in the Wind' is an original opal serpentine sculpture by the Zimbabwean artist Wellington Karuru. The artist presents an elegant and curvilinear figure of a woman, her hair seeming to billow upward and behind her. The sculpture is on one hand a celebration of the stone material, and on the other it calls back to art historical precedent: her body is brought to a high polish, reflecting the softness of skin, while her hair is left rough-hewn to create the effect of the untamed wind. At the same time, the woman's body is highly stylized and emphasizes her hips and belly, recalling Paleolithic "Venus" sculptures like the lauded Venus of Willendorf and thusly ideas of maternity and womanhood. opal stone (serpentine) not signed 23" high x 8" widest point x 4" smallest point, sculpture 4"x4"x4", sculpture bottom 1 x 6 x 6 inches, base Overall excellent condition with no signs of wear Sculpture comes with base. Born on August 17, 1976, Wellington Karuru is the first born to a family of five children and has two brothers and two sisters. As the first born child in a Zimbabwean family, many responsibilities were shouldered upon Wellington. Both his brothers, Gilbert and Esau, are also talented sculptors. He completed his primary and secondary education in Mashonaland West Province and was involved in almost every sporting activity at the school. After he graduated, he was employed at National Foods LTD where he worked as a machine operator for a period of four years and was later promoted to work as a sales clerk. In his free time he assisted some well known artists in sculpting, was able to learn much from them and soon thereafter started to develop his own talent and unique style. Inspired by such well known sculptors such as Gardener Sango and Garison Muchinjili, Wellington started sculpting small pieces for himself and soon found a buyer for his favorite piece titled ‘A Cry For Help’. From that day forward, he has never looked back. He eventually went to work with Garison Machinjili whose influence is clearly shown in his work. Some of his pieces have been chosen already for international exhibitions and galleries. Well established and internationally renowned artists like Joe Mutasa...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • 'Healing and Diagnosing' original Shona stone sculpture by Aaron P. Chikumbirike
    By Aaron Perkins Chikumbirike
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    'Healing and Diagnosing' is an original stone sculpture by the Zimbabwean sculptor Aaron Perkins Chikumbirike. The sculpture presents a highly stylized figural grouping, as is so oft...
    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

  • "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

  • "Giving a Sign (C-33)" Black Serpentine Stone Sculpture by Colleen Madamombe
    By Colleen Madamombe
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Giving a Sign (C-33)" is an original black serpentine stone sculpture by Colleen Madamombe. The artist signed the piece at the base. This artwork features a woman in a large, textured dress gesturing to her side. 11" x 11" x 6" art Colleen Madamombe was born in 1964 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Considered to be among the finest new talents from Zimbabwe, she has won the award of Best Female Artist of Zimbabwe for the past three consecutive years, and is quickly becoming an established figure of the Second Generation of Zimbabwean stone...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • "Crossing the Road (C-48)" Black Serpentine Stone Sculpture by Colleen Madamombe
    By Colleen Madamombe
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Crossing the Road (C-48)" is an original black serpentine stone sculpture by Colleen Madamombe. The artist signed the piece. This artwork features two women in large, textured dresses walking side by side. 6" x 5 1/2" x 3" art Colleen Madamombe was born in 1964 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Considered to be among the finest new talents from Zimbabwe, she has won the award of Best Female Artist of Zimbabwe for the past three consecutive years, and is quickly becoming an established figure of the Second Generation of Zimbabwean stone...
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

You May Also Like
  • Le Tre Grazie
    Located in Milano, MI
    Szymon Oltarzewski was born in 1977 in Poland. Graduated in Environmental Engineering from the University of Opole, in 2003 he moved to Pietrasanta where he enrolled at the Academy o...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Marble

  • Mind Games
    Located in Istanbul, 34
    Porcelain on granite Deniz Pireci's works; He tries to rediscover all the meanings contained in ceramics as a tool, to emphasize them even more, and sometimes simply to reveal them. As a tool, it is obvious that porcelain refers to fragility, craft, handcraft as well as mystery and the invisible. The use of porcelain in the field of contemporary art necessarily encompasses all these concepts, which it evokes as a material, within its scope. Pireci produces works that are included in many different trends with its approach to materials and art. At the same time, it not only questions our sovereignty over images, it creates an opportunity for us to lose it for a while. (Aysegul Sonmez) Deniz Pireci, who deals with issues such as migration, locality, identity, cultural difference and gender from different perspectives in her art practice, was born in Istanbul. She graduated, Ceramic Department of Marmara University Fine Arts Faculty. She completed her Master's Degree in Marmara University Fine Arts Institute Ceramic-Glass Main Art Branch in 2006 and still continues her work in her studio in Istanbul. Some of the artists works are on display at; Eczacibasi - VitrA Ceramic Art Studio, Korea Museum of KOCEF, Turkish...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • Bird In My Head
    Located in Istanbul, 34
    Bird In My Head Agate and Opal Stone Carving
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • Deva - La Divina
    Located in Southampton, NY
    Inspired by various facets of his own life story, Salvadoran-American artist J Oscar Molina creates work that seamlessly bridges cultures, industries, a...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Concrete, Wire

  • Neferet - Mujer Hermosa
    Located in Southampton, NY
    Inspired by various facets of his own life story, Salvadoran-American artist J Oscar Molina creates work that seamlessly bridges cultures, industries, and feelings. With a commitment...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Concrete, Wire

  • Tosca, Contemporary Bronze on Sandstone base Sculpture
    Located in WOOLLAHRA, AU
    Artist sculptor Taking her art from life and nature, Helena breaks down forms simplifying and playing with the uses of light and shadows. Sometimes staying true to a likeness, which is always the starting point, but sometimes her work will take on a much more abstract nature. Often she uses her experience as a graphic designer to create works with a digital starting point using flat plains that are then assembled into a 3d structure. Originally from the UK, Helena now resides and works in Sydney. Recently she has been working alongside Sculptor John Gardner. One piece that she was recently involved in was a commissioned 7 foot high cast bronze tree. They are presently collaborating on various other projects, as well as creating pieces individually. BIOGRAPHY Turnford College, UK – Art A Level Stevenage Foundation College of Art, UK – Foundation in Art University of Chichester, UK – BA Honours Degree in Art and Related Arts 97- 98 P&I Publishing Co – Graphic Designer 98-99 Auburn Advertising – Graphic Designer 99-04 Crown and Anchor Printery – Studio Manager, Graphic Designer 05-06 CIA Advertising – Studio Manger, Graphic Designer 06 – Present – Artist, Freelance Graphic Designer 2016 – Present – Artist – Working in collaboration with Sculptor John Gardiner EXHIBITIONS East Herts College art exhibition – 1990 WSIHE art exhibition – 1992 Hertford Art Society – 1993 Hertford Art society – 1994 Sydney Children’s Hospital Art Program – 2013 Sydney Children’s Hospital Gold Telethon group exhibition – 2013 Sydney Children’s Hospital Art Program – 2015 Randwick International Women’s Day...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Sandstone, Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All