Biographies of Workshop Teachers
Arthur Fata
Born in 1963 in Harare
Arthur Fata received formal art training in Bulgaria and has travelled widely, attending workshops and exhibitions in many countries.
Although he is more acclaimed in his larger works, he also creates very emotive smaller sculptures. At home with the hardest stone he often experiments with texture and unworked surfaces.
Formidable technical skills allows him to sculpt almost anything that inspires him, and as such his subject matter
covers a wide range.
Nicholas Kadzungura
Born in 1967 in Centenary
Kadzungura completed his"O" levels in St. Albert's Secondary School in Centenary before being apprenticed to Damian Manuhwa, the famous first-generation artist.
From the beginning, this young artist was inspired by the natural shapes of the stones as they appeared from the quarries. These forms continue to influence him. Kadzungura only works in harder stones, preferring Springstone, Marble and Verdite.
In 1997, Kadzungura was chosen for the Chapungu Resident Artist Program, where he continues to work. His subject is comprised mainly of groups of people-often-children singing, in prayer, in discussion, or in mourning. There is a tenderness and often a sense of poetry in these gentle images.
Royal Katiyo
Born in 1972 in Murewa
A determined and exciting young artist who started carving on the Gavazi Springstone claims in the hills of the Great Dyke near Mvurwi.
Katiyo's subject matter is still limited and sometimes repeated, but his works often have an endearing and humorous quality, with evidence of a developing but acute perception. He prefers harder stones especially Springstone, Dolomite, Lepidolite.
A danger to his future career could be that the popularity of this birds, heads and tortoises force him to repeat them, but he is aware of this, and continuously extends himself in larger works and new subject matter. Much can be expected of him.
Eddie Masaya
Born 1960 in Nyanga
Eddie Masaya trained under his relative, the acclaimed first generation artist Moses Masaya. After 2 years he joined Brighton Sango in Guruve and together the two artists spearheaded, with Tapfuma Gutsa and Norbet Shamyuyarira, the second generation of sculptors. In his early years he liked to highly polish all his pieces, but now prefers textures and unworked surfaces, and in this field has become a master; content sometimes to merely suggest an image before declaring the sculpture complete.
Masaya is a committed artist of exceptional technical skill whose work comments on both traditional values and contemporary issues.
Taylor Nkomo
Born 1957 in Bulawayo
Taylor Nkomo is a well known painter and print maker. As a sculptor he transfers a stone, a thing of beauty into an even more beautiful object. Taylor Nkomo is an invited artist at Chapungu Sculpture Park, where he is known for sculptures which are always elegant and consummately graceful.
His work is described as elegant and formally striking. His subject matter deals with rural life, and the beauty and dignity that people lend to everyday tasks that ensure their survival.
Agnes Nyanhongo
Born 1960 in Nyanga
Agnes Nyanhongo is considered one of the most important Zimbabwean artists and certainly the most acknowledged sculptress. She is from a strong sculpting family and works with the hardest stones, preferring Springstone, Leopard Stone and Nyanga Stone.
She is inspired by the role of women in traditional society and the interaction between family members. Her work is characterized by a sense of peace, calm and inner dignity. With considerable courage in a predominately male profession, she has led by creating strong and powerful works. She is an important African woman and is much respected and admired by her community.
Gedion Nyanhongo
Born 1967 in Nyanga
Gedion Nyanhongo belongs to an illustrious family of sculptors whose name has international recognition. His work explores the psychological depth of the relationship between family members within traditional and contemporary African society. It shows immense respect for the way African traditions have established important family traits such as respect for elders, protection of women and children, and the importance of aunt as advisor within the family circle.
Gedion Nyanhongo worked with the late sculptor Joseph Ndandarika. Like Ndandarika, he deals adroitly with the mass, bulk and weight of stone. Huge sculptures come easily to him while smaller works are expressive, emotive, and superbly finished.