4005
$550.00 USD
Type of stone: Spring Stone
Dimensions: 28 x 6 x 8 inches
MORE ABOUT THE STONE:
Every sculpture is made from natural stone and vary slightly due to nature of stone and natural grain which is part of the stone. Some stone will contain inclusions, pits or fissures as a result of its geological formation. The natural recurring iron/seaweed strata lines in the stone give the stone its character and makes it unique.
Natural lines are colorful lines formed within the stone. These are not flaws, but rather signifies the authenticity of the product. Only skilled sculptors are able to work with the stone due its hardness. The stone can withstands harsh weather conditions and can be placed in a natural environment.
NOTE: Typically your sculpture will ship within 2-3 days after you've placed your order.
Born on the 11th November 1933 in Mvurwi, Zimbabwe, Josaih is one of the last surviving First Generation artists of Zimbabwean sculpture. He is of Malawian origin and a ÒChigureÓ by tradition of his Yao culture (a Bantu speaking people from Southern Malawi). He started working as a builder, assisting his father, but in 1967 he met and began working for Tom Blomefield (founder of the Tengenenge Art Community). He had had experience in carving wooden masks and Tom encouraged him to sculpt in stone. He is self taught and most of his works are inspired by his spirituality, deeply rooted in his Yao culture. This Spirituality often comes through in his sculpture with unnatural and surreal overtones. He has won several awards including NAMA. He lives and works at the Tengenenge Art Community and is married to sculptress, Jenet Manzi, also a first generation artist. His work is highly collectable.
The most dedicated of artists display a high degree of integrity, never copying and still working entirely by hand, with spontaneity and a confidence in their skills, unrestricted by externally imposed ideas of what their "art" should be. Now, over fifty years on from the first tentative steps towards a new sculptural tradition, many Zimbabwean artists make their living from full-time sculpting and the very best can stand comparison with contemporary sculptors anywhere else.
The sculpture they produce speaks of fundamental human experiences - experiences such as grief, elation, humor, anxiety, and spiritual search - and has always managed to communicate these in a profoundly simple and direct way that is both rare and extremely refreshing.
The artist 'works' together with his stone, and it is believed that 'nothing which exists naturally is inanimate' - it has a spirit and life of its own. One is always aware of the stone's contribution in the finished sculpture and it is indeed fortunate that in Zimbabwe a magnificent range of stones are available from which to choose: hard black springstone, richly colored serpentine and soapstones, firm grey limestone and semi-precious Verdite and Lepidolite.
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