Two Figures Emerging from Stone
Artist: Shona Sculptor (Zimbabwe)
Culture/Region: Shona, Zimbabwe
Date: Late 20th Century
Medium: Hand-carved red sandstone (likely Opalstone or Springstone)
Dimensions: 16” H x 6.25” W x 7” D (40.6 x 15.9 x 17.8 cm)
Description:
A modernist Shona sculpture carved from a single block of deep red sandstone. The work depicts two abstracted figures emerging from the raw, unworked stone. The figures are smoothly polished, while the surrounding stone is left largely untouched, showcasing the rough, textured quality of the raw material.
Artistic Context & History:
This sculpture belongs to the renowned Shona stone carving tradition of Zimbabwe, which gained international recognition beginning in the late 1950s. The movement is characterized by its direct carving approach and spiritual connection to the material, drawing on Shona mythology, folklore, and the belief that spirits reside within the stone, waiting to be released by the artist. The technique of leaving portions of the stone "unfinished" is a distinctive feature of this tradition, symbolizing the ongoing process of emergence and the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds. The red sandstone used here is a valued material among Shona sculptors for its rich color and workability.
Condition Report:
The sculpture is in good condition. Be advised that the stone itself is left unfinished on the back and sides. This was the intention of the artist. Soft scuffs and scratches are present.
Two Figures Emerging from Stone
Artist: Shona Sculptor (Zimbabwe)
Culture/Region: Shona, Zimbabwe
Date: Late 20th Century
Medium: Hand-carved red sandstone (likely Opalstone or Springstone)
Dimensions: 16” H x 6.25” W x 7” D (40.6 x 15.9 x 17.8 cm)
Description:
A modernist Shona sculpture carved from a single block of deep red sandstone. The work depicts two abstracted figures emerging from the raw, unworked stone. The figures are smoothly polished, while the surrounding stone is left largely untouched, showcasing the rough, textured quality of the raw material.
Artistic Context & History:
This sculpture belongs to the renowned Shona stone carving tradition of Zimbabwe, which gained international recognition beginning in the late 1950s. The movement is characterized by its direct carving approach and spiritual connection to the material, drawing on Shona mythology, folklore, and the belief that spirits reside within the stone, waiting to be released by the artist. The technique of leaving portions of the stone "unfinished" is a distinctive feature of this tradition, symbolizing the ongoing process of emergence and the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds. The red sandstone used here is a valued material among Shona sculptors for its rich color and workability.
Condition Report:
The sculpture is in good condition. Be advised that the stone itself is left unfinished on the back and sides. This was the intention of the artist. Soft scuffs and scratches are present.
