BORN in Murehwa on 27 January 1982, stone sculptor Tendai Mutinimwa began sculpting in 2001. Then he was working alongside the late Wenceleous Marufu.

Tendai says: “I joined the Dominic Studios where I had the privilege to help Marufu to polish his sculptures. It was an apprenticeship that led me to work with yet another seasoned sculptor Fabion Madamombe. The two attachments shaped my sculpting prowess.”

Today Tendai sculpts birds and the human figure of women. He says: “I like to sculpt the woman’s figure, from when a baby girl is born through to girlhood, falling in love and eventually giving birth. I celebrate all these forms. I am also married and draw my inspiration from my wife. I have two children, a girl and a boy and I always capture how they relate to each other. Art is about my surroundings and my family are my immediate surroundings.”

Tendai loves to sculpt human heads.

The sculptor has his work collected all over the world. He adds: “Thanks to Dominic Benhura, he has opened doors for my artistic career. I have a piece that was collected by the former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa. I treasure the gesture and that piece has built my profile.”

Tendai sculpts images on different stone boulders, from springstone and opal to cobalt. His wish is to be more creative and be able to exhibit throughout the world. He says: “Working alongside talented artists at Dominics Studio has given me the urge to be creative. We work like a class and I learn from the masters every day. They always come with refreshing ideas.”