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This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of Zimbabwe’s sculptors – only artists whose work has been shown by Guruve are listed here. Artists are listed in alphabetical order of surname in each section.
Shown here are many of the so-called ‘first generation’ of artists from the Shona sculpture movement. These are the lucky few who achieved international exposure and recognition from the late 1960s onwards. Most of them have now passed away.
Also listed in this section are well-known artists from the ‘second generation’ who followed them. Happily, most of this cohort of Zimbabwean sculptors are still with us.
These young artists are Guruve’s hand-picked selection, showcasing the most talented sculptors of the younger generation.
Also listed in this section are well-known artists from the ‘second generation’ who followed them. Happily, most of this cohort of Zimbabwean sculptors are still with us.
These young artists are Guruve’s hand-picked selection, showcasing the most talented sculptors of the younger generation.
Fanizani continued sculpting right up until his death when he was nearly eighty. He was a much-loved personality within the Harare art community, affectionately known as 'funny-zani'.
Dominic Benhura is one of Zimbabwe's most prominent contemporary sculptors within the 'Shona sculpture' art movement. He has exhibited worldwide,...
Celia Winter-Irving (respected Shona art critic and ex-curator of the National Gallery in Harare) described artist Lovemore Bonjisi as 'The...
"In my opinion, loving a hobby is the precondition for any positive development. If you like doing [something] and you do it well, then continue doing it for the rest of your life."
Edward is the oldest surviving 'first generation' Shona sculptor, as he is now about 90 years old. He's still sculpting and his distinctive style makes his work instantly recognisable and very sought after.
Ephraim is particularly well-known for his endearing sculptures of horses. He is featured in (and is pictured on the cover of) ‘Myth and Magic: The Art Of The Shona Of Zimbabwe’ by Joy Kuhn.
Ishmael is one of the most promising young artists in Zimbabwe. His sculptures encapsulate the simplicity and grace of modern Zimbabwean sculpture.
Peter has carved out a niche for himself with his fantastic sculptures of birds. His larger pieces, with their clean crisp lines, make wonderfully elegant garden sculptures.
His childhood in the sango (bush), and his father’s deep connection to Shona traditions and beliefs, means Remembrance is deeply connected to nature and Shona spirituality.
Arthur is a well-known 'second-generation' artist with a long association with Harare's Chapungu Gallery. He is best known for imaginative mixed media works.
Michael Gwaravaza says, "my main art philosophy is to help celebrate the inherent Shona values, culture and traditions through stone sculpture".
Peter was one of four finalists in the 8th National Arts Merit Awards competition in Zimbabwe in 2009. His piece Dancing Flames (pictured left) earned a Special Mention, suggesting he missed being the winner by the tightest of margins.
Tendai's first inspiration for his abstract sculptures was the sea - both the fluid wave forms of the water and the creatures within it. Even today, that influence is still strong in his work.
Timothy Gwaravaza was born in 1992 in Wedza, Zimbabwe, south east of the capital Harare.
Munyaradzi is one of Guruve's most popular young artists. His elegant abstract sculptures are fluid, as he seems to flatten the stone into ribbons that wind around each other, and also pleasingly simple. Related to Nicholas Mukomberanwa, one of the art movement's most respected names, Munyaradzi is building a strong reputation for himself.
Charles Kowo is a new addition to Guruve's online gallery this year. He shows great potential, with some really exciting abstract sculptures.
Royal is particularly well-known for his charming chubby sculptures of quails, finished using a clever technique (almost like pointillism) to give the impression of the birds' feathers. He has represented the prestigious Chapungu Sculpture Gallery at various of their international exhibitions and workshops.
Agnes Mupariwa was born in Zimbabwe in 1968. In the late 1990s, she started coming to the Chitungwiza Arts Centre, helping out the sculptors by sanding their sculptures (this is tedious and laborious work that sculptors are quick to give to someone else!).
Antony is one of the most abstract sculptors that Guruve promotes. His work is outstanding, not just in his creativity and technical ability, but also in his attention to detail.
Bernard was the symbolic leader at the Tengenenge Sculpture Village in northern Zimbabwe. His work is full of depth and spiritual meaning,
Boira's work is in the Permanent Collections of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) and of Chapungu Sculpture Gallery. His work was part of various ground-breaking exhibitions and he is now regarded as one of the elder statesmen of the Shona sculpture movement.
Henry Munyaradzi is the best-known and most sought-after artist in the Zimbabwean sculpture movement. His deceptively simple sculptures capture the essence of the subject and have universal appeal.
Joe Mutasa is one of the most prominent names of the second generation of Zimbabwean sculptors. His graceful sculptures with their fine proud features are instantly recognisable and much sought-after by collectors worldwide.
Jonathan was privileged to train with world-renowned sculptor Joseph Ndandarika, and his experience and confidence as a sculptor shines through in his wonderful figures.
Joram regarded himself as the Father of Modern Shona Sculpture, and he was held in great esteem by other Zimbabwean artists. He travelled the country, "whispering the gospel of stone sculpture."
Although not the most famous name amongst the lucky Zimbabwean sculptors who first gained international recognition as the 'first-generation', Moses Masaya's tremendously stylised work is instantly recognisable and much respected.
Nephew of hugely respected Zimbabwean artist Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Nesbert creates deceptively simple and beautifully elegant sculptures and is one of Guruve's most popular sculptors.
Nicholas Mukomberanwa is one of the most influential and internationally respected artists in the Zimbabwean sculpture movement - he can fight for the top spot with Joseph Ndandarika! His works are truly original and creative and rarely come onto the secondary market.
Onias' style is graceful and organic with fluid uncomplicated lines, reflecting the beauty of natural design. Onias won the sculpture category in the visual arts section of Zimbabwe's prestigious National Arts Merit Awards in 2008.
Richard Mteki is now one of the most prominent and collectable names in Zimbabwean sculpture. His sculpture has been commissioned for state buildings and as gifts for foreign dignitaries.
"I am possessed by my forefathers' spirits, who were highly talented artists...I feel very proud developing and continuing with the art tradition my forefathers passed on to me...this is part of our heritage."
Rufaro was a deserving winner of the 3D sculpture category of Zimbabwe's 2015 National Arts Merit Awards. He was also a NAMA finalist in 2017, 2016 and 2014.
Sylvester was a venerated artist, one of the 'first generation' of Zimbabwean sculptors. His life and work was guided by Shona culture and beliefs, and as an elder he taught and advised the younger members of his community through metaphor and storytelling.
Member of the Mugavazi family with its close links to Shona sculpture and the spring stone mines of Mvurwi, Tutani's confidence and experience with sculpture shines through in his elegant and striking works - both the more traditional ladies and his more recent moves into abstraction.
A respected artist in his own right, Claud is also the head of a sculpting dynasty that includes daughter Agnes Nyanhongo and sons Gedion, Moses and Collen.
Joseph created some of the greatest works of the Zimbabwean sculpture movement, as he tried to capture in stone the fundamental spiritual and cultural beliefs that had structured the lives of previous generations of Zimbabwean people. He was described as 'a universal genius'.
Locardia has maintained her position as one of Zimbabwe's most prominent female sculptors. Her former husband Joseph Ndandarika tried to sabotage her career, even giving away her pieces when she was out!
Tanyanyiwa was the winner of the 2009 'Artist Of The Year' competition sponsored by the Bernard Matemera Foundation. His sculpture was judged to be the most original piece, uninfluenced by others around him, but he was also recognised for his commitment to sculpting and the amazing improvement he has shown over recent years.
Edronce is especially known for the detailed geometric designs that cover his sculptures, leaning on the traditional designs of the Shona royal house from which Edronce claims descent.
Brighton Sango was the leading light of his generation of Zimbabwean sculptors and was hugely influential: his work expresses emotions in abstract form - he invented cubism all by himself in rural Zimbabwe and the Shona sculpture movement was never the same again.
Since his 'discovery' by Guruve in 2010, Tonderai's career has accelerated in leaps and bounds. In 2014, he was one of four Zimbabwean artists to participate in an Artist Exchange in Angola. He is one of Guruve's most popular artists.
Bernard's approach to sculpture was very typical of Shona sculpture as an art movement - he perceived the subject or form within the stone and, by removing the superfluous stone, he was able to liberate the sculpture within.
Christopher Tigere was born in 1989 in Mutoko, Eastern Zimbabwe. His family are part of the Tandi family of well-known...
John Takawira's boulder-like sculptures radiate power and strength, softened by his use of the rough natural weathered textures. He has the most works of any Shona sculptor in the Permanent Collection of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
Tafadzwa started sculpting when he was nine, helping his father. Once Tafadzwa had proved himself, his father gave him tools and a small piece of stone to produce his first carving. He has kept that first piece to this day, to remind him of his beginnings.
In 2006 Tago was on the judging panel of the 'Creativity and Originality' sculpture competition at CAC. In 2008 and 2009, he was selected by the NAC to be a judge for the prestigious annual National Arts Merit Awards.
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