Reuben Kadish

Seated Woman with Criss-Cross Legs

1969

Comes with mounting 8-1/4"x 6-3/4"x 4" African Shona 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...

'Ready for Marriage' 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) 33 x 12 x 12 inches signed "Msonza W" on reverse along base Overall good condition; some minor scratches, likely as the sculpture left artist's studio. Base in photographs is not attached and is included at request of buyer. 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 sculptor brother-in-law Albert Mamvura, 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...

Sitting Lady is a limited edition bronze sculpture. Created with the lost wax casting process.

Cast bronze with patina finish on marble base