| African art has received a great deal of attention in | | | | African artists have the ability to feel the energy and |
| recent years, with contemporary African art becoming | | | | spirit of the stone. |
| extremely popular, particularly Shona stone artworks. | | | | Sculptors never draw or design any piece beforehand. |
| “Shona sculpture forms part of the permanent | | | | They believe that the form is already in the piece of |
| collections at The Rodin Museum, Paris; Museum of | | | | stone. The 'revealing’ process may take a few |
| Modern Art, New York; Museum of Mankind, London; | | | | days, weeks or even months, combining their passion |
| National Gallery of Zimbabwe; and the Museum of | | | | and vision with the qualities and characteristics of the |
| Modern Art, Frankfurt. | | | | stone to produce a superb piece of art. |
| Although the Shona not has been exposed to western | | | | One of the well known Shona artists, Fanuel |
| culture, much of the work of Shona sculptors | | | | Mutemasango, explains: |
| resembles 20th century contemporary art. In fact, | | | | “Sometimes, by just looking at the stone, I can see |
| Pablo Picasso, founder of the modernist movement, | | | | the sculpture taking shape, like the clouds moving". |
| was an early admirer of Shona sculptures.” | | | | The majority of sculptors do not use power tools of |
| These are all remarkable facts that you can find in | | | | any kind but rely instead on hammers, chisels, rasps |
| “African art articles”. | | | | and various grades of wet and dry sandpaper. After |
| Sometimes a different angle can tell a different story. | | | | carving the rough shape of the creation, the sculptor |
| Africa is a gift to the natural world with an unrivalled | | | | uses a file to smoothen the stone. |
| diversity of life. | | | | Once the piece is sanded to the artists’ |
| We in Africa love the character and texture that can | | | | satisfaction, they will then heat up the sculpture with |
| be derived from nature. We develop a relationship with | | | | either a wood fire or a propane blowtorch. Once the |
| our soil. It is so real and open in a sense that it displays | | | | sculpture is hot, they then apply a clear wax such as |
| a profound sense of stillness. It is all so unique and | | | | Beeswax floor polish. As the stone cools, it absorbs |
| honest that it encourages one to touch and feel. | | | | the wax through the surface, seals the stone and |
| This is the story behind the stone. | | | | gives it a clear waterproof finish that brings out the |
| Stone is extremely beautiful and appealing with | | | | natural colour of the stone. There is no artificial |
| regards to its rich colours and textures. | | | | colouring used whatsoever. |
| The outer layer only needs to be chipped away in | | | | Heating and waxing the sculpture is an essential part |
| order to reveal the inner beauty | | | | of the process. This gives the stone a beautiful shine, |
| The carving of hard stones is only possible when the | | | | which in turn brings out its natural colours and features. |
| artist has achieved a high degree of rare and | | | | Once the stone has cooled, the sculptor makes use of |
| exceptional skills, which may only be gained through | | | | a soft-cloth for buffing in order to bring out the shine. |
| years of extensive studying. | | | | Every piece has its own unique story to tell, portraying |
| The story begins with the artist traveling in the | | | | thoughts on aspects of life, such as family, emotions, |
| countryside in search for powerful stones with a | | | | the soul and one’s self. |
| sense of spirit. | | | | And now the story behind the stone sculpture will start. |