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A
visitor to Zuva Gallery will most certainly come to the conclusion
Nyanhongo “has it.”
His
work reflects the people of his homeland in cultural, as well
as rural and urban themes.
“I
associate most of my work with people,” Nyanhongo explains. “I
don’t have specific subjects. I receive much joy, peace and satisfaction
when I’m making my art. I’m piled up with ideas. No two pieces
are alike unless there is a special request.”
Choice
of stone is an important consideration when starting a piece.
“I
study the shapes to try to decide what I want it to look like,”
Gedion says. “I truly believe there is a living form within every
stone. I listen to what the stone has to say. My spirit and the
stone’s spirit work together. Then I try to decide which idea
will deliver what I feel about the subject.
“Time
is nothing to me when I’m working. What matters to me is to make
the most dynamic piece ever. I try to make every piece my favorite.
Every piece is like my baby and as a parent you have to love all
of them equally.”
Contemporary
African art is a medium that has come into its own and is recognized
and coveted around the world, Paulick says.
“I
think people are looking for new things. We are in our 11th year
here and we are starting to see a movement from a Southwest aesthetic
to a more contemporary taste.
“The
artists kind of specialize in stone sculptures in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe
means ‘house of stone.’ It’s an art form and a national treasure.”
African
art is something that has never been looked at as seriously as
it is today, Nyanhongo says.
“There’s
nothing really as exciting as this is now,” he says. “Africans
are very family oriented. Our work shows this closeness. That’s
something lacking in the developed world. People are now seeing
it being reflected in African art.”
Every
piece is done completely by hand.
“You
have to ‘have it’ to love it,” the Zimbabwean explains. “There
is no machinery. It’s all what they call primitive, but it’s
got meaning in peoples’ lives.”
During
good times Zimbabwe was the bread basket of southern Africa
and invited a booming tourist trade to the country.
“Zuva
was one of the tourists. We met and they took some of my pieces,
and that proved their confidence in me. They have become
my friends and family,” Nyanhongo says.
The
feeling is mutual, replied the gallery director.
“It’s
an incredible collection of work,” Paulick says of the sculptures.
“It gives a broad overview of Gedion’s style and talent.”
Artist’s
demonstrations will take place throughout the exhibition.
“People
should call the gallery for times. The show opens Feb. 8. There
will be a cocktail hour from 6‑7 p.m. and an artist’s
talk from 7‑7:30, followed by the show’s official opening
at 7:30.”
Zuva
Gallery is located at el Pedregal, 34505 N. Scottsdale Rd. (the
southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Carefree Highway) in
Scottsdale.
For
information, call (480) 488‑6000 or (800) 721‑ZUVA,
or visit scottsdale@zuvagallery.com.
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