Chemedu Jemali Art

Carved serpentine sculpture from the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe

'Listening Friend' is an original springstone sculpture signed by the Zimbabwean artist Chemedu Jemali. The sculpture presents the head and torso of a figure, highly abstracted in Jemali's signature style: The figure's head leans to one side, eyes closed, as if carefully listening to the viewer. Like rippling sound waves, ridges cover half the figures face and body, each undulating and glistening with a polished surface. As the viewer walks around the sculpture, they can see that Jemali has left parts of the figure as natural stone, allowing the rough-hewn texture to create an exquisite contrast of surface with the mesmerizing polish. 46 x 13 x 10.5 inches Signed "Chemedu Jemali" along base, proper right Chemedu Jemali was born on March 3, 1971 in Harare, where he did his primary education. He and his family then moved to the Shamva township where he completed high school. His family is originally from Malawi and their totem is of the Miranzi (mouse). Chemedu's work focuses on stylized and abstracted figuration, ranging from spirit birds to stylized busts. Chemedu took an interest in carving in the early 1990s, inspired by the success of his older brother, Chituwa, and became an established carver. Initially, he worked as an apprentice to Chituwa who introduced him to carving the local hard stone such as verdite, springstone, cobalt and lemon opal. He has three brothers and one sister; his brother, Salim, is also a full time sculptor. He has become a well known artist not only in the Shona Art...

'Special Catch' is an original sculpture signed by the Zimbabwean artist Chemedu Jemali. The sculpture presents the head and torso of a figure clutching to a fish, each highly abstra...

"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...

"Shona Chief" is an original serpentine sculpture signed by the artist Chemedu Jemali. This sculptor works in the Shona tradition of Zimbabwe. The sculpture depicts an abstracted head of a man and weighs 95 lbs. The signature is on the back. 25" x 12" x 10" sculpture 95 lbs. Chemedu Jemali was born on March 3, 1971 in Harare where he did his primary education. He and his family then moved to the Shamva township where he completed high school. His family is originally from Malawi and their totem is of the Miranzi (mouse). He started sculpting in 1990. He was taught to sculpt by his brother Chituwa Jemali. He has three brothers and one sister. In the early 1990's, Chemedu took an interest in carving, inspired by the success of his older brother, Chituwa, and became an established carver. Initially, he worked as an apprentice to Chituwa who introduced him to carving the local hard stone such as verdite, springstone, cobalt and lemon opal. His brother, Salim, is also a full time sculptor. Chemedu produces abstract creations of various themes - from spirit birds to stylized busts. He has become a well known artist in the Shona Art...