“Her proud features reveal a strong character, used to wielding power and authority.”
This elegant lady is ‘wahosi’ – the king’s first wife, the first lady of the kingdom. She has the high status of queen and she is in charge of his other younger wives.
As you would expect, she is also bedecked with jewellery, again reflecting her high status. Joe has used finely ground white marble and red jasper inlaid in the sculpture for the necklace, earrings and headdress. As a result, these semi-precious stones add to the extra special quality of this sculpture.
Joe Mutasa is one of the best-known names in the ‘second generation’ of Zimbabwean sculptors. His contemporaries include Dominic Benhura and Royal Katiyo. Joe’s work is collected worldwide and his pieces are highly sought after.
