Government approves African cultures conference

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO GOVERNMENT has approved the hosting of the third edition of the International Conference of African Cultures (ICAC) 2021 scheduled to run from November 23 to 25 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Harare. On Tuesday, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a post-Cabinet media briefing that ICAC 2021 seeks to explore…

Swerengoma Arts Production out to promote cultural tourism

by Fungai Lupande Swerengoma Arts Production, a locally-based theatre and traditional dance outfit, is preserving unique and distinct traditional dances from different parts of the country to promote cultural tourism. Speaking after a sterling performance at the World Tourism Day commemorations last Saturday in Bindura, Swerengoma proprietor William Majuru said dance was an important part…

Artworks by the Mamvura Family (Lorraine Usayi and Elvis)

It is rare to find both husband and wife taking up stone sculpting as a career in the Zimbabwe Shona stone art sculpting industry. Both Elvis Mamvura and Lorraine Usayi Mamvura are seasoned sculptors in their own right and with different approaches, techniques, themes and stone/medium preferences. Elvis is the son to Albert Nathan Mamvura…

Zimbabwean sculptor’s pandemic inspired art gains worldwide acclaim

Zimbabwean stone sculptor David Ngwerume’s COVID-19 pandemic-inspired art is receiving international acclaim due to its unique way of reflecting the current dynamics facing the world. Since the beginning of this year, Ngwerume has used much of his time carving pandemic prevention messages in stone, capturing the world’s attention with his expressive artworks. After gaining the…

Remembering Fanizani Akuda 10 years later

The 5th of February marks exactly ten years after the death of Fanizani Akuda. Together with other group members in the 1960s they started what we now appreciate as the Zimbabwe Contemporary Sculpture Movement. The journey they travelled as a group has been recorded and cherished in different circles and today Zimbabwe is recognized internationally…

The Art & tourism situation in Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls

The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected many lives that were being sustained by the inflow of international tourists visiting Zimbabwe. One of the tourist havens of note in Zimbabwe is the Majestic Victoria Falls rain forest. The Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world due to it being the largest…

Retracing sculpture origins in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s stone carving is as ancient as rock paintings of the San people who were hunters and gatherers living in caves or under cliffs. They migrated extensively in family groups throughout the Kalahari desert and the surrounding areas living thousands of rock paintings depicting animals and hunting scenes. They created effective stone weapons for big game…

Mubayi, Gutsa, Benhura awarded Legends @40

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe celebrated Zimbabwe’s 40 years of independence by honoring 40 influential people who have made an impact in film, art, poetry, music, producers, performers, actors and directors. The National Arts Council used its platform (NAMA) National Arts Merit Awards to acknowledge, identify and reward such talent. Of particular interest is…

New artworks, new prices, new artists and free DHL delivery!!

We do hope that we find you well and safe. We have revised our prices downwards in line with the pro-longed global COVID-19 pandemic. Please do take the time to visit our website www.avacarts.com and see if you like any of the available artworks. We have also introduced paintings and new artworks for your consideration.…

AVAC Arts Donates a Sculpture To Catholic University

Leading online gallery Avac Arts has donated an education themed sculpture to the Catholic University in Zimbabwe (CUZ). The sculpture by Chitungwiza Arts Centre based artist Personal Zenda was handed over to the university’s officials at a graduation ceremony held at Meikles Hotel on Monday. The art piece titled ‘Knowledge Is Power’ which depicts a…

Free DHL Express International shipping on all paintings!!

  Starting from the 1st of March 2021, AVAC Arts is now offering free international shipping for all paintings purchased through our online store www.avacarts.com/ Delivery is made normally within 4 to 7 days. Paintings are normally folded into tubes for transportation unless framed. For more information please contact info@avacarts.com. Visit our Online Gallery  …

Legends of sculpture still standing

By Timothy Akuda The internationally recognised sculpture movement has to date lost 90 percent of its founding members. The movement which was started in the 1960s still stands strong and shows no signs of dying. To date we have lost crucial members like Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Bernard Matemera, Crispen Chakanyuka, Claud Nyanhongo, Fanizani Akuda, Albert Nathan…

How to clean and restore a Zimbabwe Shona stone sculpture

Zimbabwe stone sculptures are made from natural stone that is usually polished with floor wax to make it shine. With continuous exposure to weather elements, the shine fades over time. This video is a simple guide on how to clean and restore a stone sculpture. Instead of heating the sculpture (after cleaning it with water…

Lazarus Takawira – The End of a Legacy

Timothy AkudaThe legacy of the Takawira brothers, John, Bernard and Lazarus made immense contributions to the Zimbabwe Sculpture movement. Unfortunately with the death of the only remaining brother Lazarus that legacy in life comes to an end. However the legacy will continue to be celebrated in their stone sculptures as much as it will be…

Sculptors carve online to survive

Travel restrictions in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic has left sculptors struggling for markets. This is largely because their products are brought mostly by tourists and art enthusiasts who travel from different countries, especially in Europe. The pandemic saw airlines being grounded, most tourism destinations closing down, while art centers were barely operational.…

Frank McEwen

The History of Contemporary Stone Sculpture in Zimbabwe

[ All images © Chapungu Sculpture Park, harare, and may be used freely for any educational or scholarly purpose. All other uses require prior written permission.] By George P. Landow, Professor of English and Art History, Brown University Divergent Sources: The sculpture of contemporary Zimbabwe, which has achieved such reknown in Europe, America, and Australia, has…

Exclusive Covid-19 Sculpture Deal

Zimbabwean sculptors and players in the tourism sector have been amongst the hardest hit by the COVID-19 global pandemic. This is so because most of their clients were international clients. Victoria Falls as an example has basically turned into a ghost town living thousands unemployed. The Zimbabwean government has failed to cover sculptors in their…