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ZimSculpt

Curators of Zimbabwean Sculpture Worldwide

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Art Review by Michael Shepherd (Sunday Telegraph)

21 July 2005

Do you wonder if art ‘is for you’ ? Or do you wish that you could give something positive from your heart to Zimbabwe? Or are you a connoisseur and collector of very fine art ? Then go and visit the touring exhibition of sculpture from Zimbabwe, which has had less publicity and visits — unsurprisingly — in Wimbledon Fortnight, when it was at Canizzaro Park in Wimbledon; but which is subsequently on a tour of Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Ingatestone Hall, and Loseley Park, this summer. And since African art is family-oriented — take the family, and especially your children !

When as an art journalist many years ago, I first saw stone sculpture from Zimbabwe, I simply could not believe that its quality was not a brilliant ‘lift’ from the work of Brancusi, Modigliani, Picasso and others. Then I investigated further and found that after 500 years of lost tradition, carving the stone of Zimbabwe — a country with a wider variety of hard stone of several colours than anywhere else — had begun again, and was already of world class. And now today a younger generation has taken up this demanding, patient art of carving hard stone (with hand tools . . . ) and brought new imagination to this. From a magnificently proud — and superbly carved — ‘Beauty Queen’ to caring mothers and their sleepy, secure babies, to the spirits that look over Africa, its people, its animals, its trees and birds and vegetation, this is world-class sculpture — but even more than that, it is art from the heart that touches the heart. And the finely prepared book that accompanies the exhibition is an enchanting glimpse into the hard work and humanity that lies behind the creation of this work.

I have praised Zimbabwean stone sculpture in the media for many years now, and known it to touch many hearts. I am very happy that I need not take back a single word of that praise. And even happier, that this sculpture has been taken up by the younger generation and has flowered beyond all expectation. Go and give it your support. It is phenomenal — a glimpse of what Africa has to offer the world in this century, which seems to have started so terribly.

Filed Under: News

About ZimSculpt

Based in Harare, ZimSculpt is passionate about promoting the work of some of the finest Zimbabwean sculptors. By holding exhibitions around the world and making sculptures available for purchase online, we let you experience some of the finest contemporary stone sculpture.
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Upcoming Exhibition

  • Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth , Texas
    15 April – 30 July

Partner with ZimSculpt

ZimSculpt partners with people around the world. Contact us if you are interested in hosting an exhibition or are interested in selling our sculptures.
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Past Exhibitions

  • Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, USA (2022)
  • Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, United States (2021 & 2017)
  • Toronto Botanical Garden, Canada (2019 & 2018)
  • Toledo Botanical Garden, United States (2017)
  • Muttart Conservatory, Canada (2015)
  • Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, United States (2014-15)
  • The Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada (2012-13 & 2006-7)
  • Dow Gardens, USA (2013)
  • Naples Botanical Garden, United States (2012-13)
  • Loseley Park, UK (2004-6 & 2011)
  • RHS Chelsea Flower Show, UK (2006-11)
  • Knebworth House, UK (2008-10)
  • Herstmonceux Castle (Queens University), UK (2008-10)
  • Cannizaro Park, UK (2005-7)
  • Ingatestone Hall, UK (2003-5)
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They receive no public funding and rely exclusively on sculpture sales to keep the business moving forward. There’s a strong sense of pride and excitement when she speaks of how the company started and how they travel worldwide showcasing these beautiful pieces.

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