• 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

Inspiration, Technique, Training & Styles

Zimsculpt-0242In the early sculpture movement in Zimbabwe many artists found their inspiration from their Totems or from the Supernatural. These days many of the younger artists seem to have become disconnected to their ancient beliefs and are now working in more abstract form.

Most artists are inspired by everyday life and hence the many pieces depicting ladies caring for children, bathing and collecting water. Others take inspiration from Nature – organic forms, flowers and leaves and of course the animals play an important part in everyday rural life.  From Guineafowl, to Monkeys and Lizards to many types of Bird species.

 

V13_22_A5

With unemployment approximated at about 80% and with raw materials to sculpt with being relatively at hand, many Zimbabweans have tried their hand at sculpting.

Most sculptors find the form of their inspiration in the shape of the rock.  Each sculptor has their own personal style and will choose the stone to suit their style.  There is generally no pre-sketching, everything is created free-form.

Technique

Every sculptor we work with works on their sculpture by hand, no power tools are used at any stage in the process. Artists’ stone tools consist of hammers, points, chisels, rasps and chasing hammers.


These tools give quite different effects.  The finishing of a sculpture takes almost as long as the actual creation.  The smooth effect is achieved by using wet and dry sandpapers – sanding the piece for hours in water. This is called ‘washing’.

If the artists want a high polish on the stone (which gives the dramatic difference in texture and colour) the stone is heated which expands the pores of the stone and a natural floor wax is applied to the designated area. This is left to soak into the stone until cooled and then buffed up to a high gleam, which finishes the work.

Usually we have two sculptors demonstrating daily at our exhibitions – they will be more than happy to show you any of the techniques above  – they may even let you try!


Training

We often get asked if there is any formal type of sculpting school or arts school that the artists go to.

All of the artists have learnt through apprenticeship (with some rare exceptions) through their fathers, brothers, uncles or neighbors.  Usually learning as young children, perhaps after school or at the weekends, doing the jobs the artists ‘don’t’ want to do, like sanding/washing or polishing, which is time consuming and hard work!  Obviously some artists children grow up with tools in their hands…


Styles

There are three completely different styles of stone sculpture in Zimbabwe

Fine Art
Curio
Contemporary

Fine Art

Fine Art is usually made with pneumatic tools.  Fine Drimmel instruments that can make all the delicate detail. The better quality ‘Fine Art’ is made in harder stones such as Butterjade, Lapidolite or Verdite.

Curio/Airport Art

Curio/Airport Art is mass produced.  Made by hand still, but because it’s usually made with soapstone the softest stone available, it can be quickly manipulated and created.  We often get approached by clients who have brought these kinds of pieces on holiday (at markets or by the side of the road) which then break.  Because soapstone is so soft and brittle it does not travel well.  In Zimbabwe these sculptures are worth very little and people often ask me to value these type of pieces, which they think are worth a fortune!

The general rule of thumb to tell if the stone is hard or not is to pick it up and scratch the underneath.  If the stone chalks under your finger nail its soapstone and too soft!

Contemporary Art

The work we represent fits under a different style ‘Contemporary Art’ – which indicates they are progressive works, individual and not mass produced.  These are made from hard stones that can withstand cold European and North American climates.  See our stone page about the stone used.

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

  • 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.
Learn more

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)
View more
Follow us on Facebook

There is much to love about the pairing of ZimSculpt and VanDusen. The combination of art and the garden enhances the experience of both. The larger Zimbabwean sculptures seem ideally suited to outdoor display: they are perfectly at home rising from a bed of perennials or standing tall beside Cypress Pond, and they act as dramatic accents to the Garden’s picturesque landscapes.

Inside Vancouver
  • © Copyright 2000 – 2023
  • Credits
  • Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy
  • Delivery
  • Contact
 

Loading Comments...