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| 2004: | Last Works, Zuva Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ |
| 2002: | One Man Show, Cape Town, South Africa |
| 1998: | Zuva Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ |
| 1995: | Retrospective, National Gallery of Zimbabwe |
| 1992: | Zimbabwe Sculpture Symposium, Tokyo, Japan |
| 1990: | Venice Biennale, Honorable Mention, Venice, Italy |
| 1990: | Harlem Studio Museum Exhibition, Harlem, NY |
| 1988: | Contemporary Stone Sculpture, London, England |
| 1987: | Soul in Stone, Melbourne, Australia |
| 1986: | Margam Castle, Wales, Great Britain |
| 1985: | Feingarter Gallery, Los Angeles, USA |
| 1984: | Commonwealth Institute, London, England |
| 1971: | Musee Rodin, Paris, France |
by Nicholas Mukomberanwa
Nicholas Mukomberanwa, widely regarded as the one of the world's preeminent stone sculptors and Africa's most esteemed artist in any medium, tragically passed away in November 2002. London's Arts Review journal once touted Nicholas as the natural successor to Henry Moore. Nicholas exhibited internationally for more than 35 years and his work stands in many of the world's top museums including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Museum of Mankind in London.
Born in Buhera, Zimbabwe in 1940, Nicholas showed early artistic promise when he began carving in wood as a young boy. His continued development as an artist was sidetracked for several years when he took a job as a policeman in his early 20s. While off duty, Nicholas experimented in stone sculpture with the assistance of several friends who were committed to developing the art form in Zimbabwe. He eventually left his job as a policeman to pursue a career as a professional sculptor. This risky move quickly paid off as Nicholas honed his ability and took part in landmark shows in the late 1960s and early 1970s in London, Paris and New York.
Over the past three decades, Nicholas developed one of the most distinctive sculpting styles in the world marked by sharp angular lines and a deft blend of highly polished and raw stone surfaces. He derived endless inspiration from a keen understanding of his traditional culture as well as his revered position in modern Zimbabwe. Several acclaimed one-man shows in London and New York in the 1990s significantly heightened the value and reputation of his work. In the past few years, Nicholas' production had slowed as he took more time to enjoy his other passions: farming and raising cattle on his expansive ranch in Zimbabwe. Make no mistake however, when Nicholas recently put chisel to stone he did so with greater passion than ever before. Only weeks before his death, Nicholas summarized this period eloquently: "...fame and financial security have allowed me to sculpt for myself. I no longer feel the pressures to produce large bodies of work for demanding international shows. I can simply let the themes and sculpture come to me. I cherish this phase of my career."
Zuva Gallery's owners are grateful to have formed a strong friendship with Nicholas and his family over the past decade. Zuva Gallery's annual collections have long featured only the finest work that Nicholas believed in most strongly. In 2002, one of Zuva Gallery's owners spent four months in Zimbabwe visiting Nicholas on a regular basis and working with him to procure Zuva Gallery's 2004 Nicholas Mukomberanwa collection. Unbeknownst to both of them at the time, these pieces would be the last ever sculpted by Nicholas as he passed away only weeks later. They now form the rarest collection of Nicholas' work in the world today. This stunning collection is highlighted by an exquisite and poignant sculpture of social commentary entitled "Farmer's Dream" which depicts a smirking farmer clutching an exaggeratingly large corn stalk. According to Nicholas, this farmer symbolizes the exceedingly high expectations that some of his fellow countrymen hold regarding the controversial land redistribution initiative in Zimbabwe. Other masterpieces include a magnificent abstract warrior spirit and a life-sized man of wisdom that took Nicholas several months to complete. Collectors and museum curators are encouraged to contact Zuva Gallery regarding these important works.
Zuva Gallery * el Pedregal * 34505 N. Scottsdale Rd. * Scottsdale, AZ 85262
tel 480-488-6000 * 1-800-721-ZUVA * scottsdale@zuvagallery.com
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