• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

ZimSculpt

Curators of Zimbabwean Sculpture Worldwide

  • About
  • Artists
  • Exhibitions
  • Gallery
  • News
  • Contact
  • Search

The National Gallery & Frank McEwen

In the 1950s Southern Rhodesia – as Zimbabwe was then called under the apartheid regime of Ian Smith, the capital Salisbury (now Harare) was under pressure to educate themselves in European ways and saw the establishment of a University and a National Gallery.

mcewen

The Gallery enrolled their first Director from  the UK, Frank McEwen.

With McEwen’s considerable inspiration and encouragement, a scene of young and talented African stone sculptors started developing in the 60s.Having studied Art History previously at the Sorbonne in Paris, McEwen befriended many sculptors and artists such as Constantin Brancusi, Georges Braque, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.  In 1930s Paris he had seen how much ethnic African art inspired modern European painting and sculpture.

In Rhodesia, he wanted to unearth the roots of this art and thus to unleash Africa’s creative potential.


Joram Mariga, John Takawira, Henry Munyaradzi, Nicholas Mukomberanwa and Joseph Ndandarika were among the first, and they later became the leading figures in this new movement.McEwen demanded of the young artists they create art for its own sake. They were told to draw inspiration from their inner imagery and the mythology of their Shona people.

The term ‘Shona Sculpture’ was born.

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.
Learn more

Upcoming Exhibition

  • Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Dallas, Texas, United States
    1 May – 8 August

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.
Learn more

Past Exhibitions

  • Toronto Botanical Garden, Canada (2018)
  • Dallas Arboretum and 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)
  • RHS Chelsea Flower Show, UK (2006-11)
View more
Follow us on Facebook

Mining the richness of Zimbabwe’s geology, featured artists will create powerful works of art that depict the stories of the natural world and the culture and traditions of their home land.

Canada's Garden Route
  • © Copyright 2000 – 2021
  • Credits
  • Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy
  • Delivery
  • Contact