Clavertis Miller: Shona Art, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is the stone carving capitol of the world. Shona is the name of the predominant tribe that this art form is associated with.

This current movement only began in the 1950’s. Historians have found a meager amount of stone sculptures that predated this time, but these have had little influence over the modern artists.

In the last few decades Shona sculpture has blossomed into an internationally acclaimed hallmark of contemporary African art developing its unique style and spirituality.

Shona sculpture has taken on a life of its own independent from other African art styles. Even the material used is non-traditional, stone rather than wood, beads, straw, metal and fabrics.

Shona sculpture as remained pure of outside influences, acting independently in a world where art has been mandated by the standards of art critics.

There is an honest, unpretentious and uncompromising strength in these sculptures reflecting the very nature of the artists themselves.