Animal Sculptures

TENDAI

Tendai knew little about stone carvings until she began selling her grandfather’s sculptures at the age of 22. Unable to find employment after completing her schooling she decided that “as a woman…it was better…to do something which most people regard as men’s work.” While her choice has not been without challenges, Tendai remains optimistic. “These days it is not so easy to get work, but self-employment helps to improve our society. Unemployment leads to robbery. We are making a very good living. Moreover, we live ….far away from the city…[and] have to board two buses daily. [W]ithout a good line of business, you cannot manage it.”

At the outset, Tendai’s grandfather provided her with supplies and knowledge of the stone and of customers which helped her get off on the right foot. The experience she gained in maintaining the stone for her grandfather provided the perfect platform for jumping into a career as an artist in her own right.

In discussing the sculptures she confides “I am mostly interested in selling fine art. By this I mean those things like heads and animals. There are also creations, but they don’t usually sell well. Most customers are interested in hippos.”

“We have a variety of stones, and some like verdite are very expensive. This is the most precious stone we have. We have black and green serpentine which is the second hardest. This stone is a little cheaper than verdite. We also have rapoko, which comes in different colors, but it is softer than verdite and serpentine. Rapoko stone sculpture is popular because the customers will reach for the cheaper one.”

Tendai now has her own stall and works alongside her sister Sekai, who has followed in her footsteps. The Sedentary Nomad sells torsos, turtles, frogs and abstract elephants from Tedai. Sekai carves our cats, owls, and ducks. Tendai is able to support herself and her daughter through her art. When reflecting on her career choice Tendai concludes “I have no other profession and am proud of what I do.”

ALBERT

“Since I was one of ten children, my parents had a hard time feeding us, clothing us and paying school fees. I got as far as Form 4 before finding a welding job. But back when I was in school, I had learned stone carving during weekends and holidays. Welding was not for me, and I longed to do stone carving. So I left my job and began earning my living carving. So far I am able to make ends meet through selling my sculptures.

People still honour and belive that their ancestors can guide them, so I carve ancestral images. But people also like to buy modern images, so I carve these for them. I hope that one day my work will become famous and that people from other countries will come and buy from me.

My favorite stone is serpentine. It is very shiny and attractive to customers. Also it is hard and does not break easily. I get my stone from places like Guruve, Mutare and Mhondoro. The stone varies in cost and kind.”

The Sedentary Nomad sells hippos, elephants and rhinos that Albert has carved. Check the bottom – Albert will often sign each piece.