Old Carved Shona Serpentine Stone Contemporary African

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Old Carved Shona Serpentine Stone Contemporary African

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Sold Date: 08/08/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

Beautiful Carved Shona Stone Sculpture by Chriss Chironga representing his family of 4. The sculpture is beautiful and the stone is gorgeous, with clean lines and lifting points. The statue is approx 4 Feet high.

Since the 1950s the stone sculpture produced by the master artists of Zimbabwe has justifiably been called the best known expression of sub-Saharan contemporary art. This particular art has no historical roots in Zimbabwe and has not derived from any identifiable indigenous artistic tradition. The sculpture has been made credible as serious art, as opposed to "tourist" art produced during that time in other African countries, by its appearance in public museums throughout Europe and North America. Rich in symbolism, imagery and association, it shares the same properties as many examples of the best contemporary work done outside the "third world." The work is nevertheless completely African, representing expressions of the traditional beliefs of the societies from which the artists have emerged. Yet, unlike more accepted tribal art, the sculpture does not have a truly ceremonial or ritualistic function. The aesthetic origins of the sculpture presented in this section lie in the artists' conceptions of the spiritual dimensions of their own cultures.

This peice was purchased for $3800. We are willing to sell it for less then 50%.

Please let me know if you need more pics and dimensions.

GADZIRIRAYI CHRISS CHIRONGA: Chironga was born in Gweru, Zimbabwe. He was educated in Zimbabwe, attending many different schools as his father, a policeman, was transferred many times. Chironga attained his "O" level certificate in seven subjects and left school in 1989. In 1990 he began work as an apprentice fitter and turner with Shabani Mine. He qualified as a fitter and turner in 1994 and worked for the mine until 1996, when he moved to the Guruvi district, his homeland. Chironga met his wife Nzwisisai while traveling on a bus to Masvingo. They now have one son. Nzwisisai is a school teacher at Guruvi Primary School and has encouraged Chriss to become a world famous artist.
In 1997, Lucky Mupinga, a well known artist in Zimbabwe and Chironga's uncle, told him he had talent and should try his hand at stone sculpture. Lucky carves in the harder stones, using mainly Spring Stone and Chironga fortunately chose this as a medium. Spring Stone is normally black, with green or brown markings. Chironga's first sculpture was sold within a month to Roy Guthrie of the Chapungu Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe. The gallery commissioned Chironga to do 10 more works. He worked under contract to Chapungu until his contract came up for renewal, at which time he decided he would sell his own work, which he has been doing since 1999.
Chironga has sold his work in Holland, England, France and the United States. He is a bird lover, so many of his pieces are inspired by his perception of the Zimbabwe birds. Chironga likes to work on the human form as well and although his work is abstract in form, it is easy to see how he titled his pieces.