Children give Zimbabwean sculpture talents a tryout

Dudzai Mushawepwere and Matthew Nakawhale are flown over every year by a York-based art company Matombo to provide a truly “hands on” experience of Zimbabwean sculpture.

The two artists work in Shona stone and their work, together with examples of other leading Zimbabwean artists form the largest ongoing/semi-permanent Shona stone exhibition.

Dudzai and Matthew, who both live and work in the country’s capital, Harare, with their wives and young families, feel the most important aspects of their residency at Newby Hall House and Gardens near Ripon are the opportunity to introduce the rich artistic culture of Zimbabwe to a new audience and the chance for children to feel the shape and texture of the sculptures, which is often not possible at other exhibitions.

Dudzai and Matthew returned for their fifth consecutive year and were on hand to chat to the children about life in the poverty-stricken country and how they create these unusual Shona stone works of art.

There will be work from around 30 different artists on display with many fresh and exciting pieces.

The exhibition runs until Sunday, September 11.