Contemplation - Outdoor sculpture - Zimbabwe
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Contemplation, a hand-carved serpentinite sculpture by Andamiyo Chihota from Zimbabwe’s Tengenenge Art Community, depicting a contemplative figure; 50 cm high, 40 cm wide, 17 cm deep, 32 kg, signed, in fair condition.
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Description from the seller
Artist - Andamiyo Chihota (born 1976, Zimbabwe)
Andamiyo Chihota is an internationally recognised Shona stone sculptor, raised within the celebrated Tengenenge Art Community - the birthplace of the modern Shona sculpture movement. He trained under his father, master sculptor Luke Chihota, alongside his brother Singi Chihota. His work has sold to private collectors across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, and is represented by galleries including the Sankaranka Gallery in New York City. Comparable works by Andamiyo Chihota are currently offered at £1,250–£3,450 at specialist sculpture galleries in the United Kingdom.
The Work
This commanding abstract figurative sculpture is hand-carved from a single block of Zimbabwean serpentinite (dark springstone) - a dense, hard stone prized by Shona sculptors for its deep green tones and rich natural texture. The fluid, organic form depicts a contemplative human figure folded inward upon itself, a motif deeply rooted in the Shona artistic tradition of exploring the connection between humanity, spirit and nature.
Viewed from different angles the work reveals new qualities: from the front an introspective, enclosed figure; from the side an elegant, almost leaf-like upward movement. This interplay between angles is a hallmark of skilled Shona stone carving.
Details
Signed: A. Chihota - inscribed directly into the stone, lower back
Origin: Zimbabwe, Tengenenge Art Community
Material: Serpentinite (dark springstone), hand-carved
Height: 50 cm | Width: 40 cm | Depth: 17 cm | Weight: 32 kg
Condition
The sculpture has been cleaned and re-waxed with natural beeswax to restore its full depth of colour. Minor surface scratches and areas of natural stone texture are present and typical of serpentinite.
Note: a 5 mm mounting pin hole (approx. 6 cm deep) is present in the base, with traces of mounting cement - consistent with previous professional gallery or exhibition installation.
Title by seller - original title unknown.
Artist - Andamiyo Chihota (born 1976, Zimbabwe)
Andamiyo Chihota is an internationally recognised Shona stone sculptor, raised within the celebrated Tengenenge Art Community - the birthplace of the modern Shona sculpture movement. He trained under his father, master sculptor Luke Chihota, alongside his brother Singi Chihota. His work has sold to private collectors across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, and is represented by galleries including the Sankaranka Gallery in New York City. Comparable works by Andamiyo Chihota are currently offered at £1,250–£3,450 at specialist sculpture galleries in the United Kingdom.
The Work
This commanding abstract figurative sculpture is hand-carved from a single block of Zimbabwean serpentinite (dark springstone) - a dense, hard stone prized by Shona sculptors for its deep green tones and rich natural texture. The fluid, organic form depicts a contemplative human figure folded inward upon itself, a motif deeply rooted in the Shona artistic tradition of exploring the connection between humanity, spirit and nature.
Viewed from different angles the work reveals new qualities: from the front an introspective, enclosed figure; from the side an elegant, almost leaf-like upward movement. This interplay between angles is a hallmark of skilled Shona stone carving.
Details
Signed: A. Chihota - inscribed directly into the stone, lower back
Origin: Zimbabwe, Tengenenge Art Community
Material: Serpentinite (dark springstone), hand-carved
Height: 50 cm | Width: 40 cm | Depth: 17 cm | Weight: 32 kg
Condition
The sculpture has been cleaned and re-waxed with natural beeswax to restore its full depth of colour. Minor surface scratches and areas of natural stone texture are present and typical of serpentinite.
Note: a 5 mm mounting pin hole (approx. 6 cm deep) is present in the base, with traces of mounting cement - consistent with previous professional gallery or exhibition installation.
Title by seller - original title unknown.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Stone type
Serpentinite
Country of origin
Zimbabwe
Material
Stone
Artist
Andamiyo Chihota
Title of artwork
Contemplation
Signature
Signed
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Fair condition
Height
50 cm
Width
40 cm
Depth
17 cm
Weight
32 kg
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