STONE sculpture continues to be popular in Zimbabwe as more sculptors are sprouting around the country while others are making use of tools and inventing ways that can help in stone carving.
With this increase in sculpting in Zimbabwe, one may wonder if these artists are any longer doing it for passion or money.
Stone sculpture in the country is today synonymous with names of prominent artists including, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Sylvester Mubayi, Colleen Madamombe, Brighton Sango and Dominic Benhura, among others.
Some of these artists inherited the art from their forefathers.
It is believed that Shona sculpture was inspired by the artist’s spiritual beliefs and practices.
It was through the beliefs that the artists would depict them in their art pieces.
Carving of a piece was considered as something important, serious and would consume a lot of time before coming up with the final product.
The spiritual beliefs initiated the artistry talent to run in the family, but nowadays, stone sculpture is no longer considered to be a discipline that can be traced through a certain generation.
Although sculpture can be traced from communities such as Tengenenge near Guruve and Chapungu, it is now dominating and spreading to most towns around the country.
As each day passes by, many sculptors are emerging, be it young or old and it seems these ‘wannabe’ sculptors who are dominating the industry are no longer putting passion in their work.
The spirituality that was associated with stone sculpture is no longer considered important, with many sculptors lacking experience, originality and exceptionality.
The trade has now been commercialised to the extent that some artistes just imitate pieces of art made by others.
Onias Mpumha, a former National Arts Merit Award winner who is based in Chitungwiza said sculptors are no longer putting emotions in their work.
He said stone sculptors are now carving for survival despite the fact that the trade is no longer rewarding like it used to in previous years.
“Our discipline is facing many challenges that include lack of originality due to the rise of many ‘sculptors’ thereby, forcing many to commercialise it,” said Mpumha.
He said it was through commercialisation of stone sculpture that a number of local artists were falling prey to buyers who exploit their talent.
“Artistes are no longer competing to bring out good inspiring art, but competing for buyers,” said Mpumha.
According to Mpumha, sculptors are no longer giving value to their art since today’s stone sculpture is no longer coming from within.
Zimbabwean stone sculpture, or Shona Sculpture as it is sometimes referred to, dates back to the 1950s and it was through sculpture that the country’s culture and history was depicted.