Young Chief by Boira Mteki

YOUNG CHIEF is an elongated bust portrait of a proud Shona initiate. The piece depicts the valour and eagerness of youth, yet simultaneously evokes the dignity and reserve of royalty.

Boira Mteki often carved heads that portrayed characters of spiritual and social importance in traditional Shona life.

For centuries, botanical gardens around the world have featured sculpture throughout their grounds… Now, the (Naples Botanical) Garden is capitalizing on its “Gardens of Latitude” tagline to present more than 200 stone sculptures from Zimbabwe, which rests in the same 26 degrees north and 26 degrees south band around the equator that is the Garden’s focus.

Brian Holley, Executive Director at the Garden, says “I think just providing the opportunity for people to see the quality of sculpture that is being produced in Zimbabwe will be a surprise to most people,” he says. “But even more important will be the way that the sculptures enhance the experience of visiting the garden.”

Naples Florida Weekly

ZimSculpt

Curators of Zimbabwean Sculpture Worldwide

Young Chief by Boira Mteki

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