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

Tafadzwa Mandala
"Newborn Child, " signed by Tafadzwa Mandala

2004

About the Item

"Newborn Child" is a signed springstone sculpture by Shona artist Tafadzwa Mandala. It weighs approximately 90 pounds and depicts a robed mother with her newborn child. 29 1/2" x 13 1/2" x 7" sculpture, 90 lbs Tafadzwa E. Mandala was born in 1984 in Harare, the son of the world renowned sculptor Peter Mandala, one of the first generation sculptors. He grew up around stones and tools and at the age of six he started sculpting when his father gave him his trade tool to play with. He left school after completing four years of high school at Cranborne Boys High School. Tafadzwa started out by doing craft work, but has come to specialize in artistic creations in beautifully finished black serpentine, fruit serpentine and springstone. His sculptures range in size with subjects that are almost always based on human expressions. His works are characterized with a U and T eyes and straight lines. When he is not working, Tafadzwa enjoys reading art books. His works can be found in the USA, Holland, Germany, France, Austria, Australia, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park in West Betten UK. It has always been his dream to communicate through the art of Shona sculpture. 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 provide artists with a medium for sculpture and carvings unique to their country. The Shona art sculpture of Zimbabwe combines the wonderful varieties presented by the stone with images drawn both from reality and abstract symbolism. Much of the stone used by Shona artists is quarried in areas which are adjacent or quite near the villages where the work is created. Often the land on which the stone is found is owned by the village or the local artists. The artists use stone such as Serpentine (somewhat old, having been formed about 2.6 billion years ago), with more than 200 color variations. The hardest and darkest of the Serpentine varieties is black, commonly known as Springstone or Africa stone. The wonderful natural character of stone is used both in its rough cut and textured state, or heated and burnished to a high gloss to reveal rich greens, browns, blacks and grays. The hardness, shape, density and quantity used of serpentine, verdite, sandstone, granite, steatite and other stones define the ultimate presentation of completed Shona art sculptures and carvings.
  • Creator:
    Tafadzwa Mandala (Shona, Zimbabwean)
  • Creation Year:
    2004
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 13.5 in (34.29 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 11532g1stDibs: LU60532069573
More From This SellerView All
  • "Judge, " Carved Opal signed by Luckmore Joseph
    By Luckmore Joseph
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Judge" is a signed opal sculpture created by Shona artist Luckmore Joseph. It weighs 178lbs and was created in 2004. It depicts an abstracted face coming out of the natural stone. 43" x 15" x 11" sculpture, 178 pounds Luckmore Joseph was born in 1979. He was interested in drawing and weaving baskets before he started carving. Luckmore later found that carving was of paramount importance to him in 1999 when he was employed by Sydney Majengwa as his assistant. He first gained experience working on torsos, then later embarked on creations of street beggars and pregnant women, varying the styles. Luckmore gets the subjects for his sculptures after seeing the shape of the natural stone before he works on it. His sculptures carry messages to people and explain the daily routines of people like him. He carves because he wants people to know the good and the bad, the comedy and tragedy in life circles. His philosophy has directed him to the subject issue of beggars. He wants to let people know that every country in the world has poor and rich people and both of them have the same equality and have the same right to life. Carving has become a way of life for Luckmore, and he never can leave it for very long. When he is not working, he enjoys playing football. 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...
    Category

    Early 2000s Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Precious Stone

  • "Horse Carriage, " Hand Carved Jaguar Jade from China during the 20th Century
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Horse Carriage" is hand covered Jaguar Jade created in China during the 20th Century. Intricately carved horse carriage with four horse and a driver. Made to look like the Terracotta Army...
    Category

    20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Precious Stone

  • "Protected Spirits, " a Carved Opal signed by Picket Mazhindu Bumhira
    By Picket Mazhindu Bumhira
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "Protected Spirits" is a sculpture carved from Opal stone signed Picket, who is part of the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe. It depicts two abstracted figures, presumably spirits, seeming to float upwards. 38 1/2" x 13 1/2" x 7 1/4" Picket Mazhindu Bumhira was born 1968 in the Seke communal lands about 5 km. from Harare, Zimbabwe. Picket had a passion for art from childhood and during his school days he loved drawing and painting. He was very inspired by sculpture of the late John Takawira, one of Zimbabwe's first generation of Shona sculptors, whom he met when Picket went to Chapungu. They then agreed to work together. Later he started to sculpt on his own. Some of his works made the headlines in the newspapers, including "Spirit of Love," which was exhibited in Victoria Falls during Arts Gala. He exhibited in the UK and in Germany. He was among the sculptors who went to China for an exhibition at the Poverty Reduction Summit. Picket likes working on springstone and opal and especially enjoys making abstracts. 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...
    Category

    Early 2000s Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Precious Stone

  • '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

  • "My New Hairstyle" Carved Springstone signed by Witness Bonjesi
    By Witness Bonjesi
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "My New Hairstyle" is an original signed springstone sculpture by the Shona artist Witness Bonjesi. It depicts an elongated female face with textured hair and weighs 150 lbs. 40" x...
    Category

    Early 2000s Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • "New Hair Style, " a Springstone Sculpture by Edgar Sahondo
    By Edgar Sahondo
    Located in Milwaukee, WI
    "New Hair Style" is an original springstone sculpture by Shona artist Edgar Sahondo. It depicts a female head with an elongated neck and stylized hair and features. 21" x 10" x 9" ...
    Category

    Early 2000s Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

You May Also Like
  • Peacock Brass and Agate Sculpture on Black Marble Base Attributed to Willy Daro
    Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    This amazing sculpture figures a peacock making the wheel. Each feather is made of a slice of transparent agate, soldered with brass to the rest of the wheel. The agate wheel is me...
    Category

    1970s Other Art Style More Art

    Materials

    Marble, Brass

  • Natural Giant amber crystal specimen 120kilos
    Located in Lagos, NG
    Natura gaint amber crystal specimen weight 120 kilograms origin Africa
    Category

    15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone

  • 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

  • $ 2 from New Zealand (Black)
    By Houben R.T.
    Located in New York, NY
    Houben R.T is an Avant-garde painter and draftsman with his own unmistakable voice. Houben was born in Bulgaria and graduated with a degree in painting from the Conservative Art Acad...
    Category

    2010s Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Cast Stone, Limestone, Bluestone

  • Hope tree
    By Bruno Helgen
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Les globes Bruno Helgen illustrent de façon poétique la danse des diverses représentations cartographiques des continents, des États-nations, des océans et des mers qui les séparent,...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Precious Stone, Wood

  • Love Side
    By Debra Baxter
    Located in Santa Fe, NM
    "There's inevitable pain in every form of love." Debra Baxter's new body of work, Love Tears, embodies the entanglement of love, mortality and the natural world. Taking cues from Victorian mourning...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Glass, Precious Stone

Recently Viewed

View All