My name is Michael Mugabazi, I was born on the 18th October 1983 in Guruve, Mudhindo area where a lot of raw stones are found.
I started my primary education at Kondo School and finished my grade 7 in 1999. Due to the availability of a variety of raw stones, I was exposed to renowned sculptors from a very tender age, like Brighton Sango and Jack Jonas, to name just a few.
I then did my secondary school at Kondo High School and then wrote my 0 Levels. I had by then started to carve simple sculptures imitating my brother Francis Mugabazi who kept on encouraging me.
In 2005 I started sculpting full time with my brother in Mudhindo until 2008 when I then moved to Ruyamuro joining Get Jackass. He offered me workshops where I was trained to teach art to young and upcoming artists until 2009.
I met Alice Musarara and Hans (Dreaming Stone) from Holland at Ruyamuro, joining them as an independent sculptor. I presented a number of workshops with them at the same time supplying them with my sculptures.
In 2014 I joined Mvurwi Sculptors where I came across Eucos Madzimbiri, Benjamin Musendami, Andrew Moyana, Morgan Jamu, Lorence Manwere, Tutani Mugavazi and Try Gora with whom I am working until to date.
I met Passmore Mupindiko, one of the rising starts of Mvurwi. He would then invite me to assist him with his sculptors whenever he was overloaded with work. He went further to ask me to do packing of both raw and finished stones for shipping, where ever they are required. His is now with ZimSculpt’s Vivienne Croisette. I also supply sculptures to them.
I exhibited at the National Art Gallery twice. One of the pieces was Zimbabwean renowned author, Charles Mungoshi.
My inspiration comes from love and happiness, shown through animals, especially bird sculptures. I enjoy making creations and absracts to show various moods.
Now I am a full time sculptor with Mvuriwi Art Centre.