Sacred Spring: a celebration of Shona sculpture

Shona sculpture is an art movement which surfaced in Zimbabwe in the 1960s. Perhaps the most important art form to emerge from Africa this century, the artists see themselves as being able to extract the individual spirit of the stone to create joy.

All Together Now by Dominic Benhura

Beginning to sculpt at age 14, Dominic Benhura is credited with the modernisation of Shona Sculpture in the present day.

Fruit Serpentine by Tawanda Makore

Tawanda Makore is recognized as one of the major talents to emerge from Zimbabwe today. His rounded 3D creations are called ‘vision sculptures’ and have an experimental feel.

Professor 2 by Lovemore Binjisi

Once called the Michaelangelo of Shona sculpture, Lovemore Binjisi has a distinctive angular style and comes from a long-line of sculptors in his family.

Currently in residence at Showcase Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai is a selection of large stone sculptures from the Shona ethnic group of Zimbabwe. Included in the show are the works of seven internationally celebrated Zimbabwean sculptors: Dominic Benhura, Lovemore Bonjisi, Royal Katiyo, Tawanda Makore, Bywell Sango, Leonard Sezhendo and David White. 

Curated by Sharon Harvey and Demitris Petrides, works by leading Shona sculptors have been selected to carve the intricate relationship between Shona traditions and African Modernism. Although the younger artists may choose modern themes, the striking simplicity of their pieces reveal that they too belong to this art movement that first gained international exposure in the 1950s. The sculptures created by early sculptors were primarily inspired by Shona mythology. The subject matter can be seen as continuing a rich cultural heritage that had previously been mainly folklore and ritual. 

• Sacred Spring. March 23 - June 23, 2020. Showcase Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai.