The Chapungu Sculpture Park [2] is a renowned cultural landmark and sculpture garden in Msasa, Harare, Zimbabwe, which displays the work of Zimbabwean stone sculptors. Spanning over 15 acres of landscaped gardens, the park is dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage of African stone sculpture.
Chapungu Sculpture Park was established in 1970 by Roy Guthrie as the Gallery Shona Sculpture. Guthrie played a crucial role in promoting the work of Zimbabwean sculptors on an international scale. His efforts led to many exhibitions, including a touring exhibition titled "Chapungu: Custom and Legend — A Culture in Stone," which showcased the sculptures in various botanical gardens worldwide.
The places visited include: [1] : 156–173
The sculptures in Harare encompass the largest collection from the First Generation (those who created between the late 1960s and the 1980s) to the present day, featuring the creations of renowned sculptors such as Joram Mariga, Joseph Ndandarika, Henry Munyaradzi, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Sylvester Mubayi, Bernard Matemera, Richard Mteki, John, Bernard and Lazarus Takawira and Brighton Sango, as well as many from the Second Generation (those who created between the 1980s and 1990s) such as Tapfuma Gutsa, Agnes Nyanhongo, Colleen Madamombe, Rachel Ndandarika, Dominic Benhura, Joe Mutasa, Arthur Fata, Jonathan Gutsa, Fabian Madamombe, Taylor Nkomo and Eddie Masaya. These masterpieces, crafted from Zimbabwe's diverse range of stones, embody the country's deep connection to the natural world, spirituality, and ancestral heritage. [1] Chapungu is committed to showcasing authentic sculptures by these renowned sculptors at its outdoor museum specifically dedicated to the early sculptors, including the early artists from the Tengenenge Community. There, many schools and art collectors learn about the artwork that emerged from this period, most of which are very organic as they were carved using hand tools with no machinery.
For those seeking a more intimate encounter with contemporary Zimbabwean art, the park's indoor gallery houses an impressive array of sculptures crafted from semi-precious stones like rose quartz, verdite, aventurine, red jasper, and agate. These intricate pieces showcase the ingenuity and artistic vision of Zimbabwe's modern sculptors.
Chapungu Sculpture Park is characterised by its tranquil ambiance and offers visitors a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The main entrance features a beautiful cathedral of over fifty Fever Trees, creating an enchanting gateway into the park. Within the park, visitors can explore the meticulously landscaped gardens that boast over 100 species of indigenous trees and shrubs, providing a picturesque backdrop for the stone sculptures.
The park is home to a diverse collection of life-size stone sculptures, each with its own unique story and cultural significance. These sculptures offer a glimpse into the rich heritage of Africa and celebrate the talent and creativity of Zimbabwean sculptors.
Among the artists whose works can be seen at the park are:
The park also houses the Chapungu Sculpture Centre, which hosts an important residency program and plays a crucial role in shaping the careers of young sculptors. [1] : 47 The center offers a residency program that provides emerging artists with the opportunity to work alongside established sculptors and learn from their expertise. Additionally, the HAYA Cooperative, a group of artists who work at Chapungu, actively contributes to the artistic community at the park.
In 2007, Chapungu Sculpture Park expanded to Loveland, Colorado, with the establishment of another park and gallery. This expansion has allowed a wider audience to experience the unique beauty and cultural significance of Zimbabwean stone sculptures.
Zimbabwe has many different cultures, which may include beliefs and ceremonies, one of them being Shona. Zimbabwe's largest ethnic group is Shona.
Dominic Benhura is a Zimbabwean sculptor.
Tapfuma Gutsa is a Zimbabwean sculptor.
Nicholas Mukomberanwa, was a Zimbabwean sculptor and art teacher. He was among the most famous protégés of the Workshop School at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. He was a mentor to the Mukomberanwa Family of sculptors. Mukomberanwa married his first wife, sculptor Grace, in 1965 and they had eight children. In 1965, he decided to end his career with the police to become a sculptor full-time. He continued to hone his skills over the following decade, developing one of the most distinctive personal styles found in his generation of Zimbabwean stone sculptors. The gambit paid off, and by the late 1970s and in the 1980s his work was being shown in many venues. His work has been exhibited in galleries around the world. He also became mentor to many artists in Zimbabwe, including his children Anderson Mukomberanwa, Ennica Mukomberanwa, Lawrence Mukomberanwa, Netsai Mukomberanwa, Taguma Mukomberanwa,Tendai Mukomberanwa and nephew, Nesbert Mukomberanwa who are also sculptors. He remains one of Zimbabwe's most famous artists.
Bernard Matemera was a Zimbabwean sculptor. The sculptural movement of which he was part is usually referred to as "Shona sculpture", although some of its recognised members are not ethnically Shona. His whole professional career was spent at the Tengenenge Sculpture Community, 150 km north of Harare near Guruve.
Joram Mariga has been called the “Father of Zimbabwean Sculpture” because of his influence on the local artistic community starting in the 1950s and continuing until his death in 2000. The sculptural movement of which he was part is usually referred to as “Shona sculpture”, although some of its recognised members are not ethnically Shona.
John Takawira, was a Zimbabwean sculptor. The background to the sculptural movement of which he was a leading member is given in the article on Shona art.
Henry Munyaradzi, also known as Henry Munyaradzi Mudzengerere, was a Zimbabwean sculptor. The sculptural movement of which he was part is usually referred to as "Shona sculpture", although some of its recognised members are not ethnically Shona. He worked initially at the Tengenenge Sculpture Community, 150 km north of Harare near Guruve, which he joined in 1967. In that Community, and ultimately in the wider world of lovers of Zimbabwean art, he was known simply as 'Henry'.
Joseph Ndandarika was a Zimbabwean sculptor known for his figurative works.
Colleen Madamombe (1964–2009) was a Zimbabwean sculptor working primarily in stone. Her work expresses themes of womanhood, motherhood, and tribal Matriarchy.
Garrison Machinjili is a Zimbabwean sculptor. He has been working at the Chapungu Sculpture Park since 1989, and has collaborated with many contemporary Zimbabwean sculptors, such as Charles Backford and Benard Nkanjo. His sculptures are generally abstract in nature, but are derived from natural subjects. arrison Machinjili Garrison was born in 1963 in Mazoe, Zimbabwe. He is related to the groundbreaking second-generation Zimbabwean sculptor, Tapfuma Gutsa, and it was during a visit to Tapfuma that he was introduced to stone sculpture. Garrison worked with Tapfuma in 1986. Initially, he sanded and polished sculptures in the final stages of completion. Later, he made his own sculptures, and found a strong personal style emerging during this inspiring early period. In late 1987, he had established his name as an important new talent in the Zimbabwean art scene, and he was invited to join the prestigious Chapungu Sculpture Village as a resident artist, where he remained until 1991 and returning again in 1999–2000. Group exhibitions include: - "African Odyssey: 50 Years of Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture", OXO Gallery, London, UK (2006) - "Custom and Legend: A Culture In Stone", Kew Gardens, London, UK (2000) - Inaugural exhibition at the Chapungu Gallery, Melbourne, Australia (1998) - Zuva Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA (1998
Crispen Chakanyuka was a Zimbabwean sculptor.
Eddie Masaya is a Zimbabwean sculptor.
Sylvester Mubayi was a Zimbabwean sculptor.
Agnes Nyanhongo is a Zimbabwean stone sculptor.
Sculpture and in particular stone sculpture is an art for which Zimbabwe is well known around the world.
Celia Winter-Irving, was an Australian-born, Zimbabwean-based artist and art critic who wrote extensively on Zimbabwean art, especially Shona sculpture, when she lived in Harare from 1987 to 2008.
Zimbabwe Sculpture: a Tradition in Stone is a permanent exhibit of sculpture at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It is sponsored by the city's Aviation Arts program. It features sculptures by some of Zimbabwe's best known sculptors such as Agnes Nyanhongo, Gedion Nyanhongo, Norbert Shamuyarira, Lameck Bonjisi, Edronce Rukodzi, Sylvester Mubayi, Joe Mutasa, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Gladman Zinyeka, Tapfuma Gutsa, and Amos Supuni.
Tengenenge is a community of artists and their families located in the Guruve District of Zimbabwe. It has achieved international recognition because of the large number of sculptors who have lived and worked there since 1966. These include Fanizani Akuda, Bernard Matemera, Sylvester Mubayi, Henry Munyaradzi and Bernard Takawira.
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