Newman was born in Chegutu, Zimbabwe in 1956. As a child, his favourite pastimes were clay modelling and woodcarving. After school, he had a succession of jobs, including being a lorry driver. From 1987, he has pursued the career to which he is naturally suited, creative art. Albert Mamvura, a famous 'first generation' Zimbabwean sculptor, inspired and influenced him greatly.

Newman is the most senior artist resident at the Chitungwiza Arts Centre in Zimbabwe. He is well-known and highly respected among the contemporary sculpture community. His work has been featured in many major exhibitions, including at the National Gallery in Harare.

Recent group exhibitions include:
- Matombo Gallery, Salzburg, Austria (2005, 2006)
- Guruve exhibition, London, UK (2002, 2003)

Newman's work has a powerful yet simple style, and he only uses the hardest stones such as springstone and leopard rock to achieve the perfect definition and finish. We admire his work tremendously, and consider him to be one of Zimbabwe's greatest living sculptors.