Phillip Sando was born on the 7th of August 1972, in Mutorashanga, a rural place situated along the North great dyke. He is the last born in a family of five children. Phillip believes that he started his artistic journey from a young age. He has fond memories of when he and his friends would make mud pies, draw figures on the ground, and white-wash walls. In 1980, Phillip started his primary school education at Jester School. Up to this day, he praises the school’s active headmaster, Mr. Shonge, for encouraging the school’s students to have a more holistic approach to their education. Students were schooled in various art forms, as well as agricultural and sporting activities. As Philip advanced in his education, so did his artistic skill. By the time he was in Grade 3, he was making wire baskets, reed mats, wood carvings, sisal shoulder pouch bags, and drums for his school assignments. As Philip entered grade 7, his passion for pencil drawing grew stronger, despite the constant words of discouragement he endured from an elder family member.
After Philip completed his Ordinary levels in 1989, he moved to the city, where he lived and worked with his older brother, at Nets and Ropes. His brother was the factory manager and Philip soon became known as the humorous younger brother who created cartoon drawings of employees. His cartoons were not pinned on the board or shared with everyone so as to avoid the company directors from finding out what was taking place in their factory. After countless drawings and many laughs, one of Phillip’s drawings caused a great uproar in the factory, he was soon dismissed from his post as a store clerk. Jobless, Phillip decided to return to his roots and started wood carving in 1994.
After a year of woodcarving, Phillip met Tutani Mgabazi, who introduced him to stone sculptures. Tutani played a pivotal role in guiding Philip as an upcoming artist. Phillip still remembers his first sculpture, it was a small lion bull which he sold for $50 Zimbabwean Dollars to Dominic Benhura. Apart from sculpting, Phillip also ventures into painting, drawing, welding, and creating rustic furniture.
Today, Philips’ work has traveled across the African borders from America to Germany and Belgium. He loves outdoor and indoor designing, reading, cooking, gardening, and listening to music from the 70s and 80s. Phillip is grateful that he had many people help him along his journey and he thanks Mr. John Kennedy for assisting him in contacting his clients when communication was hard for him, Mr. Jim Latham and the late Mrs. Latham for providing the way for Mutorashanga and Guruve artists, and lastly, indoor designer – Mrs. Felicity Price for her innovative ideas and warm hospitality.