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Stone
Wertz | Contemporary will continue to feature, on an ongoing, rotational basis, stone sculpture from Zimbabwe. The gallery is proud to continue its support of this notable movement and will continue to be a significant national source of some of the country's most venerable names in the art form, such as Dominic Benhura, Eddie Masaya, Amos Supuni, and Tapfuma Gutsa. Because of the success and interest in the sculpture, a new feature of the gallery will be a wider spectrum of Zimbabwean stone sculpture, shown in a dynamic and visually powerful sculpture environment.
Dominic Benhura
Wertzs' longstanding promotion of the Zimbabwean stone sculpture movement has enabled him to foster close personal relationships with the artists, allowing the gallery to showcase only their finest works. Most importantly, we have set the highest standards and showcase only work by the most respected and internationally acclaimed artists. In recognition of Wertz | Contemporary's standards of excellence, selectivity and authority on the Zimbabwe stone sculpture movement, the gallery was selected as the guest curator of the most significant permanent public collection of Zimbabwean stone sculpture which was unveiled to the public in 2001, at the Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.
Thus, it continues to be the primary focus of Wertz | Contemporary to educate its audience and develop collectors who understand the importance of these select artists who have achieved international prominence and who have set the standard for the Zimbabwe stone sculpture movement.
Dominic Benhura
A Tradition Growing
Stronger in Stone
Zimbabwe, a small country in the heart of southern Africa, is responsible for a contemporary stone sculpture movement that has achieved international acclaim; this art form signifies a new direction in African Art.
Stone is one of Zimbabwe's most abundant and dynamic natural resources. Ancient rock formations, some as old as 3,000,000 years, create natural compositions that stagger the imagination. The stone of Zimbabwe has inspired generations of Zimbabweans. The rock paintings of the san bushman, which date as far back as 30,000 years, and the ancient kingdom of Great Zimbabwe from 1250 to 1500 AD reveal the long relationship between stone and the people of Zimbabwe.
Although steeped in the past, Zimbabwe stone sculpture is uniquely contemporary in style. It is the result of an explosion of individual creativity. The artists are all self-taught and have had the freedom to experiment with new skills and techniques. Most importantly they have followed their own artistic paths to create a powerful new art form.
The captivating presence of Zimbabwe stone sculpture is the result of the mysterious connection between the natural stone and the sculptor. For many of the sculptors, the stone harbors the voice of the spirit world. According to the late Bernard Takawira, the artist and the stone are like "negotiating partners" out of which the artists' skills give rise to the life within the stone.
The contemporary Zimbabwe stone sculpture movement continues Zimbabwe's long-held relationship with the stone. Like the metamorphic rocks it springs from, Zimbabwe stone sculpture is an evolving art form, a tradition growing stronger in stone.
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