Washington Msonza Figurative Sculptures

'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...

'Sunbathing' is an original stone sculpture by the Zimbabwean artist Washington Msonza. In the sculpture, a woman reclines nude and on the ground in a moment of relaxation under the sun. She holds a child on her lap and he two gaze at one another in a moment of bonding and adoration. This intimate composition reminds, on one hand, of the great painting 'Olympia' by the relist painter Édouard Manet by nature of the nude woman in repose. On the other, it also recalls the subject matter of the Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt, whose work often focused on domestic scenes of mothers and their children. All of these art historical references are nonetheless contained within the materiality of the serpentine stone itself, in which Msonza uses the polish and texture of the stone to capture skin and hair and the subtly of the figures' expressions. opal stone (serpentine) 26.5 x 36.5 x 12 inches 200+ lbs not singed Overall good condition; some minor surface abrasions. Sculpture may require preparation to be mounted or installed. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. 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...