Written by Patience Bambalele Wednesday, 16 March 2011 21:26

"Stone Angels" At Rwavhi Fine Art Gallery Showcases Scultpure By Zimbabwe's Acclaimed Artists

Johannesburg, SA (The Sowetan).- When former BBC World Service journalist Carolyn Dempster got tired of chasing news, she found a new hobby ... art. Titled 'The Stone Angels', her exhibition features the best contemporary Zimbabwean stone sculptures. It will be held at the Rwavhi Fine Art in Greenside, Johannesburg, from March 19 until April 10th 2011. Stone Angels will showcase works by some of Zimbabwe's most acclaimed sculptors including Godfrey Matangira, Walter Mariga, Author Manyengedzo and Peter Makuwise.

Comprising 75 sculptures, the art celebrates the woman as the object of inspiration, adoration and temptation, whether as mother, spirit, wife or lover. The works focus on the conflict and poverty in Africa. "I started with stone sculpture from Zimbabwe because it had become my passion. It is a modern art form that on the one hand is so deeply rooted in African spirituality and culture, yet which speaks to you so directly and immediately that you cannot escape its profound impact. There is simply nothing like it anywhere else in the world," Dempster says.




She says she named the gallery Rwavhi, meaning chameleon in Shona and Venda, after a life-changing encounter while working on an assignment in the Sahara Desert. Since the gallery opened its doors in 2006, it has focused on raising the profile of African art and promoting the continent's most exceptional original artists working in stone. Zimbabwe has a long and illustrious history of stonemasonry, with its tradition of stone carving dating back to the 13th century. Many art critics believe that Zimbabwe's stone sculptors are the finest carvings by hand in stone in the world today.

"Every year, I visit the Nyanga mountains in Manicaland and the rural areas of Mashonaland to look for fresh talent. I personally select the sculptures and bring them to South Africa for exhibition, sale and art lease," Dempster says. She says she has established a close working relationship with some Zimbabwean sculptors and works with a team of them in Harare to ensure that all the pieces are professionally done.

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