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ZimSculpt

Curators of Zimbabwean Sculpture Worldwide

VanDusen Botanical Garden

VanDusen Botanical Garden played host to ZimSculpt for the three consecutive years.  A traveling exhibition of more than 150 stone sculptures by several of Zimbabwe’s finest sculptors. VanDusen was the exhibit’s only Canadian stop on a world-wide tour that also included the Chelsea Garden Show, London, UK.

Accompanied by Curators, Vivienne & Joseph Croissette and two of the artists, Passmore Mupindiko and Patrick Sephani, the exhibit placed sculpture strikingly throughout VanDusen’s many Garden areas and collections.

Since its opening in 1975, VanDusen Botanical Garden has been a recognized venue for major sculpture exhibitions. In 1976 the Garden was the site of the Vancouver International Stone Sculpture Symposium which saw a dozen leading artists from around the world carving stone in situ.  The legacy is a magnificent collection of sculpture that graces VanDusen to this day. Since then other major pieces, such as The Throne of Nezahualcoyotl by famed Mexican sculptor Sebastian, have found their way into the Garden’s collection.  Passmore Mupindiko and Patrick Sephani, artists from Zimbabwe, continued the tradition by giving daily on-site demonstrations of their stone-carving art.

With ZimSculpt’s amazing  hand-selected collection from all over Zimbabwe and shipped directly for the show at VanDusen – it’s was a better show than ever!

A Vancouver ‘fan’ also sent us a wonderful link of her YouTube post of our last exhibition at VanDusen Botanical Gardens, if you would like a little walk in the most beautiful setting for a few minutes as a distraction from your work, take a moment to watch.  Thank you Cynthia Wong.

I’ve seen the previous two ZimSculpt exhibitions and, judging by the preview photographs, this year’s collection has a much more modernistic cast, somewhat whimsical in several of its pieces. Earlier exhibitions were “heavier,” always a problem with stone; several of this year’s major pieces are very graceful, more stylistic, and probably more attractive to a Western audience.

Crosscut.comVancouver

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

It’s the height of summer, and ZimSculpt is bringing the sizzle back to Vancouver! Breaking up the gray skies and bringing with it the sun. This exhibit of stone sculptures from Zimbabwe has returned to VanDusen Botanical Gardens…

Pulling from a long established sculpting tradition, these pieces speak to traditional themes such as family and spirituality. Yet do so with a unique modern flair. Zimbabwe is home to many of the world’s most notable sculptors. Which is evident in every spectacular piece thoughtfully and artistically placed through out some of the most lush and beautiful perennial beds in the city!

The Dandelion WranglerVancouver

ZimSculpt, the exhibition of stone sculpture from Zimbabwe, which opens at VanDusen Botanical Garden Saturday, is as much a story about the rise of a new African art movement as it is a showcase of exciting and unique, never-been-seen-before art works.

Vancouver Sun

What I love about ZimSculpt is how perfectly suited these large, modern-yet-spiritual sculptures are to VanDusen’s traditional garden landscapes. It’s almost as if these sculptures were meant to be seen in a garden, they seem so at home here. I love how natural they look, rising out of a cluster of flowers or standing proudly at the edge of a lake.

About.comVancouver

ZimSculpt is a chance to see pieces that influenced some of the 20th century’s greatest artists, including Man Ray, Miró, Matisse and Picasso and to maybe take a piece of history home with you. Part art mart, part garden stroll — it’s a homo horticulturist’s dream.

Pinq.caVancouver

The VanDusen exhibit will include several pieces by Zimbabwe’s preeminent sculptor Dominic Benhura, considered one of Africa’s greatest contributions to the world of contemporary art.

Vancouver Courier

Henry Wong images of exhibition

Other images

 

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