The Great Stone Sculptors of Africa
Artists
Our Art Residency Program
In the near future Chapungu will resume the Chapungu Residency Programme where selected artists are given a twelve month residency status that offers them greater professional security ,easier access to a good variety of stone and tools as well as professional exposure in the park’s galleries and in international exhibitions. At the end of each programme an Annual Exhibition will be held at Chapungu showcasing the artists’ works. Please contact info@chapungusculpturepark.com for further information.
However since 2014 Chapungu has allowed a group of artists to work from the premises and create works for sale. The artists include
Leo Berekai
Nhamo Chamutsa
Joram Chiyangwa
Jairos Clements
Nicholas Kadzungura
Cosmos Kamhiriri
Benjamin Katiyo
Innocent Mahachi
Cephas Mukundi
Lloyd Mwarowa
Taylor Nkomo
Brian Nyanhongo
Luke Saidi
Vengai Saidi
Gift Tembo
Artist gallery
Leo Berekai
Born: 1976
Place: Chitungwiza ,Harare ,Zimbabwe
Leo comes from a family of sculptors. Leo's mother, the late Rachel Ndandarika, married in 1989 the famous First Generation Stone Sculptor Joseph Ndandarika. She continued his work after his death in 1997 and invited Leo to be her apprentice. Leo joined his mother in sculpting at the age of thirteen. Later he was invited to work as an artist at Chapungu Sculpture Park in 2000 on his own merit and he continues to sculpt there.
Leo ‘s sculptures illustrate everyday life in Zimbabwe such as women nurturing their young offspring or going about their chores such as fetching firewood or selecting seeds, drummers drumming, people sitting together discussing, or hunters resting after the hunt. Leo’s sculpture brings a dignity to these daily tasks, which is still felt in his work.
He has exhibited in Germany, The Netherlands, South America and in the USA..
Artist gallery
Nhamo Chamutsa
Born: 1979
Place: Harare, Zimbabwe
In 1997 after finishing secondary school, Nhamo worked as an apprentice for his uncle Arthur Fata, at Chapungu Sculpture Park. Also through his family
connections, Nhamo came to know Sylvester Mubayi, a First Generation Sculptor, who set the art world alight by winning the most prestigious art event of those times in South Africa- “ The Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Award for Sculpture”.
During his apprenticeship , Nhamo soon became an accomplished artist and gained residency at Chapungu Sculpture Park. In 2009 he was fortunate to collaborate with International Visiting Artists at Chapungu. Like his “Birds in Flight” it is now Nhamo’s time to fly. With his great technical skill Chapungu looks forward to major works of vision which will take our breath away.
Chamutsa says: “Sometimes what I sculpt comes from within, sometimes from what I see around me. Sometimes I move around the country seeing how people live, how they move and how they behave and I put these things into sculpture.”
There are several works by Nhamo in the Chapungu Sculpture Park Permanent Collection. Including a version of his “Birds In Flight” which capture the
movement and grace of these wild birds. Nhamo has exhibited in The Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA
Artist gallery
Joram Chiyangwa
Born: 1983
Place: Chivu , Zimbabwe
After Joram’s O Levels at Chapwanya School in Chivu, Joram came to Harare in 2002 to look for work. He got a job as a general hand in a small plumbing company but left after a few months to join Arthur Fata at Chapungu Sculpture Park as his assistant.
He learnt various sculpting techniques from Arthur andnow creates works that are identifiable. A keen physical exercise enthusiast, Joram has created popular works called “Stretching” showing elongated limbs and torsos. Joram continues to be inspired by Arthur Fata seeking to emulate Artur’s creativity and his approach to the stone. Joram’s sculptures have been exhibited in the United Kingdom, Switzerland,
Germany and the USA.
Artist gallery
Jairos Clements
Born: 1980
Place: Malawi
After the death of his Malawian father, Jairos’ Zimbabwean mother moved back to Zimbabwe. Jairos was five years old and he attended Makomo Primary
school in Epworth, Harare but never had the opportunity to high school because of financial constraints.
In 1998 he joined his brother Costa Balakasi in sculpting as an apprentice before going solo ten years later. Jairos’s significant works include female torsos and human figures as well as more abstract pieces. He is inspired by the human form and creates most of his defined shapes using black serpentine also known as Springstone.
Jairos’ works have been exhibited in the United Kingdom, Switzerland , Germany
and the USA.
Artist gallery
Nicholas Kadzungura
Born: 1967
Place: Centenary, Zimbabwe
Nicholas attended St. Albert’s Secondary School in Centenary before being apprenticed to Damian Manuhwa, the famous first-generation artist.
As a young artist , Kadzungura was inspired by the natural shapes of the stones as they appeared from the quarries. These forms continue to influence him. In 1997, Kadzungura was chosen for the Chapungu Resident Artist Program, where he continues to work. His subjects are comprised mainly of groups of people often children singing or adults in prayer, in discussion, or in mourning. He has recently ventured into creating animal sculptures out of the semi precious stones, Unakite, Verdite and Lepidolite.
He still surprises the viewer with his rendition of almost any subject matter. Nicholas has a quiet authority and stands out among the artists at Chapungu. He has exhibited in most of the Chapungu Sculpture Park Botanic Garden exhibitions held in Europe and the USA.
Artist gallery
Cosmas Kamhiriri Muchenje
Born: 1960
Place: Msana, near Bindura , Zimbabwe
From an early age Cosmas showed artistic promise whilst at school, drawing charts and illustrating diagrams for his teacher. It was his mother who
encouraged him to pursue his great interest when finishing his basic education. He later studied at the Canon Paterson Art Center and the Peter Birch School of Art (mainly painting, rather than sculpting) and was influenced enormously by these early experiences.
As a sculptor, Cosmas originally worked representationally in Verdite, but now works with all the serpentines and other semiprecious stones such as Lepidolite, Unakite and Marble, creating works that have a lyrical and graceful quality.
The late John Takawira and Edward Chiwawa were his early influences. He loved and admired these early artists. McEwan describes the Shona People as “Quiet,
reflective and deeply spiritual” Through his work and his life Muchenje reflects these qualities.
His sculptures incorporate the natural organic forms of stone and in some of his works he fuses the stone with drift or reclaimed wood. He is also well known for his depictions of the resting antelope and other animal forms. Cosmos has exhibited in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany and the
USA.
Artist gallery
Benjamin Katiyo
Born: 1970
Place: Murewa, Zimbabwe
Benjamin’s younger brother Royal Katiyo , an accomplished sculptor himself, encouraged Benjamin to sculpt. In 1996 he joined his brother as a sculptor whilst attending the Gavazi Art Centre in Mvurwi. Since 2002 he has been based at Chapungu Sculpture Park .
Apart from Springstone, Katiyo prefers to work in verdite and dolomite and has been creating very large works of Verdite to international acclaim. He focuses on different textures and polishing techniques to depict human emotions – desperation, sadness, joy, togetherness and grief.
He is dedicated to creating monumental works using precious and semiprecious stones and many are displayed in the main gardens at Chapungu Sculpture Park. Through his already impressive body of work, Chapungu believes that Benjamin may well achieve leadership status amongst the sculptors of Zimbabwe. He has exhibited in most of the Chapungu Sculpture Park Botanic Garden exhibitions held in Europe and the USA.
Artist gallery
Innocent Mahachi
Born: 1982
Place: Mutoko, Zimbabwe
Innocent’s desire for art began at the age of 12 in primary school. After completing O levels he came to the capital, Harare, where he eventually met Fungai Mwarowa who taught him to carve in stone. After this period Innocent continued to work at Chapungu Sculpture Park .
Innocent is known for his "Lovers" sculptures where he narrates how love dominates our lives socially. He also depicts quirky forms of the insect and animal life and has also ventured into abstract sculptural forms.
His works have been exhibited in many countries including Germany, America and Holland.
Artist gallery
Cephas Mukundi
Born: 1971
Place: Chipinge, Zimbabwe
Cephas started out as a carpenter at Chapungu Sculpture Park in 1994. He was previously based in Banket where he carved chairs and tables . In 2000, he was invited by Mr Guthrie to sculpt at Chapungu. There, he was inspired by Taylor Nkomo, Dominic Benhura and Amos Supuni.
He is known for the his rabbit or wild hare themed sculptures which are captured, standing still, ears alert, eyes roaming to observe danger but also somehow in motion. Those wild hare convey a sense of authority, of complete environmental adaptation and a “ Catch me if you can” sense of superiority. Cephas says” In this world there are many animals not being taken care of let us remember it when we put out fire in the forests. Let us remember the animals. I sculpt these animals for us to remember them” Cephas continues to be inspired by a leading sculptor Dominic Benhura and an important Second Generation sculptor, Joe Mutasa.
He has exhibited in London, United Kingdom.
Artist gallery
Lloyd Mwarowa
Born: 1979
Place: Chimanimani, Zimbabwe
After completing his education in 1998, Lloyd went to Harare to join his brother Fungai Mwarowa who was based at Chapungu Sculpture Park. Here he was introduced to stone carving and assisted his brother Fungai in finishing sculptures, gaining experience and confidence until he himself became an independent artist. His brother Fungai had worked with Joram Mariga, the First artist to bring sculpture to Frank McEwan at the National Gallery.
Lloyd continues to work at Chapungu Sculpture Park.
Lloyd endeavors to create unique pieces, representing his own imagination. He prefers to work in the more colorful stones such as Lepidolite, Opal stone, and Leopard Stone. “Young, strong and sure of his technical ability and vision- what an incredible future awaits him” Roy Guthrie 2019
He has exhibited in the Netherlands, Germany, USA and South Africa.
Artist gallery
Taylor Nkomo
Born: 1953
Place: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Taylor is a versatile artist; his skills include, graphic design, painting, fabric, and drawing and sculpting. From 1970 till 1973 he attended the Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre . He started sculpting in 1977.
Taylor worked as a graphic design artist for the National Gallery in Harare from 1974 till 1997 before moving to Chapungu Sculpture Park. He was one of the founding members of the BAT Art workshop . His graphic design influence is seen in his use of mixed media designs that he incorporates into his sculptures. In his former years at Chapungu , he worked as a liaison officer for all the younger artists and he continues to guide them . Now a respected Sekuru (Elder) his advice is still sought after and welcomed by the community.
He is famously known for the pangolin design on the old Zimbabwe $2.00 coin. He has exhibited throughout the United States in California, Colorado, New Mexico and in Switzerland.
Brian Nyanhongo
Born: 1968
Place: Nyanga, Zimbabwe
Brian was born into a well-known sculpting family. He is one of nineteen children of whom nine, seven boys and two girls, are also sculptors.
At an early age, he was introduced to sculpture by his famous father, Claud Nyanhongo, and was able to watch the progress of his sister, Agnes, and brother, Gedion. He is a trained school teacher and started his career in this field. Sculpting, however, remained his first love and, after much soul-searching, he decided to make it his life work and left teaching in 1996.
He mainly uses hard stone: Springstone, Opal Stone, Leopard Rock, Verdite, Lepidolite and all the colourful Serpentines.
In his early sculpting days he was also mentored by Roy Guthrie, the Founder and Director Chapungu Sculpture Park and has been involved and assisted in curating most of the Chapungu Sculpture Park international exhibitions since 2007. The exhibits have been in the great Botanical Gardens throughout the world. In United Kingdom Kew Gardens, London; in Germany;Palmengarten , Frankfurt; Berlin Botanical Gardens, Berlin and in The United States: Denver Botanic Gardens, Chicago Botanic Gardens and Misssouri Botanical Gardens.
Brian has exhibited in most of the Chapungu Sculpture Park Botanic Garden exhibitions held in Europe and the USA.
Artist gallery
Artist gallery
Luke Saidi
Born: 1979
Place: Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe
Luke was influenced by his grandfather Saidi Sabiti, one of the First Generation Zimbabwean sculptors, under whom he worked for many years.
Luke first started working on small pieces of different types of stone like Springstone, Opal, Stone, Lemon Opal and Verdite. Over a period he developed his own style of abstract sculpture.
His work has been exhibited in Germany, USA, Holland and South Africa.
Artist gallery
Vengai Saidi
Born: 1983
Place: Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe
Vengai attended school until he was 16 where his favourite subject was art. Vengai was inspired by his father, Saidi Sabiti, a first generation Zimbabwean Sculptor. During his school holidays, Vengai would assist his father, learning the nuances of his future craft from a master.
When Vengai's father passed away in 2003 he became an apprentice to Luke Saidi, his uncle. Vengai advanced his skills for a further four years before starting out on his own as a sculptor.
Vengai's dream is to have his work recognized internationally, especially in the United States. His sculptures have been exhibited in the United Kingdom, Switzerland , Germany and the USA.
Artist gallery
Gift Tembo
Born: 1983
Place: Tafara, Harare, Zimbabwe
Gift Tembo’s Uncle was a well known sculptor called Costa Balakasi who called him to Tafara at the age of 12 to help polish his sculptures. Torsos and figures of women and sisters were his speciality. Gift’s uncle Jairos Clemnet encouraged Gift to work with Fungai Mwarowa whilst Fungai was at Chapungu. Fungai then taught him to work with harder serpentines.
From this influence Gift has grown into an accomplished artist and his works centre on women and their roles in society. He has several prominent works in the Chapungu Gardens. His” Bride “ located just outside the main gallery, expresses the humility of the bride yet showing her own self confidence of being a bride. The movement of her body captures the moments of the wedding and all the emotions involved in that event.
His works have been exhibited in the United Kingdom, Switzerland , Germany and the USA.
