Zimbabwean artists make their mark at an English stately home

For the fifth year running, sculptors Dudzai Mushawepwere and Matthew Nakawhale have taken up residency for a month in the hall's gardens, exhibiting their work and that of fellow sculptors from Zimbabwe.

"We really enjoy it here. The people are so friendly and really enjoy seeing us do our work, which is really nice," says Matthew.

The sculptors have become regular visitors to the North Yorkshire beauty spot, thanks to the work of Matombo art gallery.

Run by husband and wife team Tracey and Kevin Stevens, the gallery is based at Alne, near York, and displays the work of artists from Zimbabwe all year round.

For the past five years, during the summer months, the gallery has also played host to two of the artists who create the work on show.

"We first became interested in the work of the artists in Zimbabwe when my husband was working out there," says Tracey.

"He brought back a couple of pieces of sculpture and eventually we started to work quite closely with the artists and decided to set up this outlet here in Yorkshire."

The couple first exhibited the work of Zimbabwean artists at Newby Hall when they were invited by Lucinda Compton, wife of the hall's owner, to a wider sculptural exhibition. She was so impressed with the work brought over from Zimbabwe, that she invited Matombo to stage an exhibition of work by artists from the country on a more regular basis.

"We first brought Matthew and Dudzai over five years ago. They stay in Skelton and have become a real part of the village during the time they are here," says Kevin.

"They are also at Newby Hall every day, working and actually creating sculptures there in the gardens, giving classes to people and demonstrating how they create their work."

Matthew says: "We get lots of people, especially children, visiting and watching us work. People like to try making the sculpture for themselves.

"I learned how to make sculptures from my father; in our country, how to make the art is passed from generation to generation. Doing that here and showing people how to make their own sculptures, is something that is very natural."

Matthew and Dudzai will be giving people a hands-on experience of sculpting at Newby Hall, daily, until the end of August. Details on 01423 322583 or www.newbyhall.co.uk