Dominic Benhura
b. 1968
Behura began his career at the age of 10 assisting his cousin, sculptor Tapfuma Gutsa. He spent many of his formative years at Chapungu Sculpture Park and is today regarded as being on the cutting edge of Zimbabwean sculpture. His work has been featured in numerous one-man and group exhibitions in Europe, United States and Zimbabwe.
The Family (CBG) – Swing Me, Mama
Village Life (GPC) – Leapfrog
Village Life (GPC) – The Harvest
Nature & the Environment (CBG) – Haya—The Dance of the Rain Birds
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – Euphorbia Tree
Social Comment (CBG) – Our HIV Friend
The Role of Women – Always with Mom
 
Lamech Bonjesi
b. 1973
A student of the late Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Bonjesi creates strong, large-scale works depicting the beauty of the natural world and the dangers of power and money.
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – Chapungu Landing
 
Square Chikwanda
b. 1972
At the age of 13, Chikwanda began his professional career as a sculptor at the Tengenenge Sculpture Community, where he demonstrated his distinctive style even at this early age. His sculpture has been included in exhibitions in Europe, United States, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The Spirit World (GPC) – Big Spirit Small Man
The Role of the Elders (CBG) – The Bira
 
Stanford Derere
b. 1956
Derere’s sculpture often depicts birds, their various movements and habits. He closely studies birds that he finds in rural areas and brings this detail and depth to his lifelike representations. In addition to his work as a sculptor, Derere is also known as a painter and printmaker.
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – Spring Time
 
Arthur Fata
b. 1963
Fata received formal art training in Bulgaria and has had his work included in exhibitions around the world. Preferring to work in the hardest stones, he contrasts polished with textured and unworked surfaces to create sculpture inspired by the natural world.
Nature & the Environment (CBG) – Wild Seed Pod
Nature & the Environment (CBG) – The New Litter
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – Euphorbia in Bloom
 
Tapfuma Gutsa
b.1956
Gutsa considers himself to be an international artist with African roots whose inspiration is drawn from sources worldwide. He is the acknowledged leader of the second generation of Zimbabwean stone sculptors and has continued to provide support and inspiration to young artists through the years.
Custom & Legend (CBG) – Nzuzu (Water Spirit)
The Family (CBG) – Listening to My Baby Kick
The Family (CBG) – Melancholy Girl
Nature & the Environment (GPC) - Antelope
The Spirit World – Offering a Child to the Spirits
The Role of Women – Ya A Santewa
The Role of Women – The Lullabye
 
Nicholas Kadzungura
b. 1967
A resident sculptor at the Chapungu Sculpture Park in Zimbabwe, Kadzungura creates artwork that addresses the changing structure of the family, family life and human relationships. He has emerged as a sculptor who is both in touch with his own times and respectful of the social value of African traditions.
Social Comment (CBG) – Innocent Victim of Political Violence
The Role of Women (GPC) – The Bereavement
 
Biggie Kapeta
1956-1999
Kapeta learned his art as an apprentice to his uncle, influential sculptor Sylvester Mubayi and later spent two years in the residence program at Chapungu Sculpture Park. Throughout his career, Kapeta produced sculpture known for its skillful chisel work and strong messages.
The Role of the Elders (GPC) – Chief Consults with Chapungu
 
Royal Katiyo
b. 1972
One of the new generation of Shona stone sculptors, Katiyo is best known for his rounded birds sculpted from springstone, dolomite and lepidolite. His work has been described as having a perceptive, humorous and endearing quality.
Nature & the Environment (CBG)  – Quail Family
 
Colleen Madamombe
b.1964
Encouraged by her friend, sculptor Agnes Nyanhongo, Madamombe began sculpting at the age of 23 and has since achieved much success. Her major works, many created during her years of residence at Chapungu Sculpture Park, show a strong individual style and voice while demonstrating deep insight into the role of women in Zimbabwe.
The Family (CBG) – Growing Well
The Family (CBG) – The Birth
Village Life (GPC) – Dancing Woman
 
Fabian Madamombe
b. 1953
Trained in a variety of art media, Madamombe received his education at the Workshop School of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Through his sculpture he often chronicles the natural world—birds and animals—and makes full use of texture to create the works’ distinctive aesthetic qualities.
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – The First Flight
 
Damian Manuhwa
b. 1952
Manuhwa is a much-respected first-generation Zimbabwean stone sculptor who continues to work and encourage and train students. His sculpture has been exhibited widely and has received numerous awards.
Nature & the Environment (CBG) – Protecting the Eggs
 
Movetti Manzi
b. 1960
The son of a well-known early sculptor from the famed Tengenenge Sculpture Community, Manzi creates sculpture that has been described as graceful, beautifully finished and enigmatic. His works, primarily carved from dark stone, describe secretive subjects and the natural world around him.
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – Listening to the Rainbirds
 
Joram Mariga
1927-2000
Known as the father of Zimbabwe stone sculpture, Mariga influenced many young men to take up the art through the years. His own work often communicated his cultural beliefs through a very strong and distinctively personal sculptural style.
The Role of the Elders (CBG) – Chief Chirorodziwa
The Spirit World (GPC) – Communicating with the Earth Spirits
 
Eddie Masaya
b. 1960
Trained under first generation artist Moses Masaya, Masaya is a leader of the second generation of Zimbabwe stone sculptors. He makes use of textures and unworked surfaces to create sculptures that comment on both traditional values and contemporary issues.
The Role of the Elders (CBG) – The Elders
The Role of Women (GPC) - Agony Woman
 
Bernard Matemera
1946-2002
A founding member of the Tengenenge Sculpture Community, Matemera sculpted powerful images that were the subject matter of his dreams—animals, spirits, people, creatures and the metamorphoses between them. His acclaimed work can be found in public and private collections throughout the world.
The Spirit World (GPC) – Great Spirit Woman
The Spirit World (GPC) – Earth Spirit
The Spirit World (GPC) – Metamorphosis
Custom & Legend (CBG) – The Man Who Ate His Totem
Nature & the Environment (CBG) - Chapungu
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – Young Zizi
Village Life (GPC) – The Young Bull
 
Jonathan Mhondorohuma
b. 1974
Mhondorohuma began training under some of the masters of Zimbabwean stone sculpture at the age of 15 and is now a widely exhibited artist of the new generation. The subject matter of his sculpture ranges from cultural customs to daily life, but almost always involves human activity.
Village Life (GPC) – Tired Drummer
 
Boira Mteki
1946-1999
A founding member of the Workshop School of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Mteki created a legacy of stylistically and emotionally powerful sculpture. He is best known for the strong monolithic heads that were created in the early years of his career.
Nature & the Environment (CBG) – Baboon and Young
Custom & Legend (CBG) – Chief and His Pangolin
The Role of Women (GPC) – Woman of Authority
 
Sylvester Mubayi
b. 1942
For over 30 years, this influential member of the Zimbabwe sculpture community has created both powerful and sensitive work inspired by the fusion of spiritual and earthly worlds. He has received international acclaim for his sculpture that has been shown in exhibitions and acquired for public and private collections throughout the world.
The Family (CBG) – Protected By Our Spirits
The Role of the Elders (CBG) – Returning to My Sekuru (Elder)
The Role of the Elders (CBG) – Traditional Healer
The Spirit World (GPC) – Spirit Bird Prays for Rain
 
Gift Muchenje
b. 1969
Muchenje is known for his large, innovative sculptures that often combine several smaller carvings to create the final work. He worked in residence at Chapungu Sculpture Park from 1989 to 2001.
Custom & Legend (CBG) – Beer for the Wedding
Village Life (GPC) – Entranced by the Mbira
 
Nicholas Mukomberanwa
1940-2002
An artist whose work evolved stylistically throughout his lifetime, Mukombernwa was constantly exploring new forms of expression. He is considered to be one of Zimbabwe’s most gifted and successful sculptors. Also highly regarded internationally, his work is in the permanent collections of many international museums.
Village Life (GPC) – My Experience
Social Comment (CBG) – The Corrupting Power of Money
The Role of the Elders (CBG) – Woman of Wisdom
Spirit World (GPC) – Man in a Trance
 
Henry Munyaradzi
1931-1998
The sculptures of first-generation Zimbabwean stone sculptor Munyardzi have been described as simple, sophisticated, precise and magical. These qualities made him one of the most sought-after of all Zimbabwean sculptors and his work is in public and private collections worldwide.
Custom & Legend (CBG) – Fetching the Moon for Our Chief
Custom & Legend (CBG) – Mhondoro (Great Lion Spirit)
Custom & Legend (CBG) – The Spirit Medium and the Interpreter
 
Joe Mutasa
b. 1964
Born into a family of sculptors, Mutasa works from some of the hardest stones available to create graceful sculptures inspired by family, daily life and the environment.
The Family (CBG) – Coming of Age
The Family (CBG) – The Planned Family
 
Joseph Muzondo
b. 1953
Considered one of the finest artists of the second generation of Zimbabwean stone sculptors, Muzondo is recognized for his dramatic and powerful social commentaries.
Nature & the Environment (CBG) – Wild Horse
Social Comment (CBG) – Bringing the Sad News
Social Comment (CBG) – The Last Warrior
 
Fungayi Mwarowa
b. 1968
A resident sculptor at Chapungu Sculpture Park, Mwarowa creates sculptures of horses, birds, baboons and humans that take advantage of the natural aesthetic qualities of the stone. Early in his career he worked under the guidance of the late Joram Mariga, the “founding father” of stone sculpture in Zimbabwe.
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – Dancing Horse
 
Joseph Ndandarika
1956-1991
Apprenticed as a youth to his grandfather, a famous n’anga (traditional healer), Ndandarika later became one of the leading sculptors of Zimbabwe. Through his sculptures and paintings, he dedicated himself to portraying many of the cultural beliefs of his people. His work has been exhibited extensively in Zimbabwe and internationally.
Custom & Legend (CBG) – The Mudzimu Bull
Social Comment (CBG) – Friend of the Rhino
 
Rachel Ndankarika
b. 1957
One of the few women working as a stone sculptor, Ndankarika creates work that deals with women today, their plight, their dignity and their achievements. Her sculpture upholds the work of women, whether it be marriage and motherhood, a profession or the mastering of a skill.
The Spirit World (GPC) – The Mbira Players
Social Comment (CBG) – Together We Shall Die
The Role of the Elders (CBG) – Aunt Admonishing Child
 
Taylor Nkomo
b. 1957
Once a graphic artist at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, today Nkomo is an Invited Artist at Chapungu Sculpture Park. Described as elegant and formally striking, his work deals with rural life and the beauty and dignity that people lend to simple tasks that ensure their survival.
Village Life (GPC) – Winnowing Woman
The Role of Women (GPC) – Me Too, Mama
 
Agnes Nyanhongo
b. 1960
Considered among the most important living Zimbabwean artists, Nyanhongo creates work inspired by the role of women in traditional society and the interaction between family members.
The Family (CBG) – Divided Family
The Role of the Elders (CBG) – Keeping the History
The Role of Women (GPC) – Mbuya Nehanda–Spirit Medium
The Role of Women (GPC) – Grandmother Fetches Water
 
Gedion Nyanhongo
b. 1967
For more than a decade, Nyanhongo has created striking contemporary sculptures that chronicle both urban and rural Africa, with a special focus on human relationships. Like his sister Agnes, he was first led to sculpture by his father, first-generation sculptor Claud Nyanhongo.
Custom & Legend (CBG) – Chapungu Protecting Family
Village Life (GPC) – After Hard Work
 

Brighton Sango
1958-1995
Sango’s artistic style changed dramatically over the years, from figurative pieces with enlarged features and grotesque faces to purely abstract forms. He portrayed a wide range of ideas in his work, often exploring human emotion and thought.
Custom & Legend (GPC) - Chapungu
 
Amos Supuni
b. 1970
At a community project for unemployed youths, Supuni met influential sculptor Tapfuma Gutsa who encouraged the young man to pursue sculpting. Throughout his professional career, Supuni has been concerned about social issues and sees his work as a voice for the voiceless, often tackling subjects such as poverty, street kids and desperation.
Social Comment (CBG) – The End of Hope
Social Comment (CBG) – Traveling Family
Social Comment (CBG) – Soul in Turmoil
 
Bernard Takawira
1948-1997
In nearly 40 years as an artist, Takawira received many awards for his work, which was represented in exhibitions around the world. As a deeply committed Christian, he often translated his Christian beliefs and his traditional cultural values into powerful and evocative stone sculpture.
The Spirit World (CBG) – At Peace with My Spirits
Nature & the Environment (GPC) – Hanging on a Leaf
 
Gerald Takawira
b. 1966
From a family of accomplished sculptors, Takawira assisted his famous father, John Takawira for many years while developing his own artistic identity. While the influence of his father is still evident in some of his works, Takawira has developed into an important sculptor whose work demonstrates a strong personal vision.
Nature & the Environment (CBG) – In Harmony with Nature
The Role of Women (GPC) – The Power of Humility
 
John Takawira
1938-1989
Takawira’s work reflects aspects of his Shona culture with strength and simplicity. Always an inspiration to young artists, he is recognized for bringing acclaim, stature and credibility to the art of stone sculpture in Zimbabwe.
Village Life (GPC) – Rural Mother
The Family (CBG) – United Family
 

The Chicago Botanic Garden is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. Call (847) 835-5440 for information. Garfield Park Conservatory is owned and managed by the Chicago Park District. Call (312) 746-5100 for information. The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance can be reached at (773) 638-1766, extension 20.
 
[Editors, please note: Slides and digital images with captions are available upon request to Julie McCaffrey. Call (847) 835-8213, or e-mail jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.]