The Sunday Mail
Society Reporter
LIBERTY NYANHONGO, a 34-year-old Zimbabwean sculptor based in Windhoek, Namibia, is lifting the Zimbabwean flag high by exhibiting his highly regarded works at some of Europe’s top art galleries.
This internationally acclaimed sculptor works extensively in stone, wood and painting technologies.
The places where his pieces are on display include the Modern Africa Art Gallery in Berlin, Germany.
His art works also appear in collections in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands and Norway, among other European countries.
Some of his stone sculptures were featured at the Edinburgh Arts Festival and many other top arts fairs across the world. On the African continent, his works are found in galleries in South Africa and Namibia, among other countries.
He also has a strong presence in China. The Nyanga-born artist’s works depict different aspects of Zimbabwean and other African cultures and traditions.
Through his efforts, he now stands as one of the continent’s top arts and cultural ambassadors.
“I come from a family of sculptors. My father, brothers and most of my extended family members are sculptors.
“Zimbabwean stone sculpture is considered the best in the world and to me, it is an honour to showcase such a highly regarded art form in other countries across the world,” he said.
The award-winning artist, who was speaking from his base in Namibia, said he was “born a sculptor” and is proud to have penetrated the global market.
Among renowned local sculptors who have made the country proud are Henry Munyaradzi; Nicholas, Nesbert and Anderson Mukomberanwa; Bryn Taurai Mteki; Dominic Benhura; Tapfuma Gutsa; and Locardia Ndandarika.
On average, a big professionally made sculpture can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, or even more.
When it comes to labour, in the United States, the average hourly pay for a sculptor is US$25 per hour.
