| Stone produces lasting quality artwork and has been | | | | also a strong influencing theme. |
| used by the Shona people for hundreds of years. | | | | In Shona culture, life closely revolves around deep |
| Some discoveries date back to 1200 AD. Stone is an | | | | family relationships. Everyone shares with one another |
| extremely demanding material to work with, and | | | | and peace is found through the love of all. |
| harder stones produce exceptional work. | | | | “Ukama” – Togetherness - offers a symbolic |
| Although the Stone Sculptures are fundamentally | | | | reminder that the simple love of a parent for a child, or |
| influenced by the artists’ cultural and spiritual beliefs, | | | | neighbour to neighbour, can be a powerful adhesive |
| the sculptures themselves are not specifically used for | | | | that holds entire cultures together. |
| either ritualistic or ceremonial purposes. The stone | | | | Whatever the nature of the abstract carving, all are |
| sculpture has no functional purpose and is purely | | | | highly emotive and make an immediate visual impact. |
| decorative. The sculptures have a commanding visual | | | | People - Real life |
| presence, even when they are of a relatively small | | | | This category is more modern and represents a |
| size. | | | | different approach from the abstract tradition. These |
| Simply put, the stone carvings can be broadly | | | | “real life” carvings capture people and their |
| categorised into three types: Abstract, Animals and | | | | features and expressions with amazing detail and |
| People. | | | | accuracy. |
| Abstracts | | | | Animals – Real Life |
| The Abstracts are contemporary interpretations of | | | | Animals are popular inspirations for carving. Southern |
| objects, animals or people that form part of the | | | | Africa has a wide diversity of wildlife and presenting |
| artist’ everyday life, including strong spiritual | | | | an obvious choice for all artists. |
| influences. | | | | Only the truly exceptional artist has the ability to |
| These abstract styles represent the real cultural | | | | capture these creatures in all their glory and in the |
| expressions of the Shona as a people, at the same | | | | finest details of life. |
| time as the importance of love, children and family is | | | | |