"Swimming Tsombe (the Tiger Fish)" by Shephard Deve

Artist Biography:

Shephard Deve is a gifted Shona stone sculptor hailing from Zimbabwe, who primarily draws his creative inspiration from the grandeur and versatility of the natural world. An extensive part of his artistry is focused on the portrayal of diverse animals, a theme which he cultivates through first-hand observations of the local wildlife as well as through media representations.

Born and raised in the bucolic region of Chiweshe, a rural locale in Zimbabwe, Deve's early experiences were steeped in the rich tapestry of natural phenomena, contributing significantly to his aesthetic sensitivity. His reverence for the wild was further broadened and deepened through a steady exposure to international wildlife, specifically the marine life of coral reefs, by way of the National Geographic Channel. This source has notably influenced Deve, expanding his artistic focus beyond his immediate environment and fostering an appreciation for the vibrant, varied aquatic creatures inhabiting the world's oceans.

Deve's artistic process involves a meticulous observation of his subjects, where he invests a substantial amount of time studying the finer details of each creature he sets out to sculpt. This meticulousness, combined with a richly fertile imagination, enables him to create stone sculptures that possess an alluring blend of accuracy and creativity. His works stand as testament to his deep respect for nature and his desire to celebrate its diverse splendor through the medium of stone sculpture.

In Shona folklore, when someone dreams of fish he or she will soon be the recipient of wealth. It is a good omen and the Shona anxiously await the magical dream fish that heralds prosperity.

Country of Origin:

• Hand carved in Zimbabwe

Dimensions (in inches):

• Depth: 12"
• Width: 16"
• Height: 14"

Type of Stone:

• Green Opal
• Green Opal is sourced in the mines north of the Zimbabwean capital of Harare.  After polishing, it becomes a deep beautiful green. It is favored by many Shona artists as it is not as hard as Springstone but it still polishes to a high shine. The first Green Opal mines were not found until 1989.

Display:

• This piece is free standing.
• This piece can be displayed outside as weather will not harm the stone. Shona sculpture is the perfect addition to any garden design!

About Shona Sculpture:

Stone sculpture in Zimbabwe, dating from 1956 until today, is the best-known manifestation of African contemporary art. Northern Zimbabwe has uniquely large amounts of carvable stone. The stone was so important to the people that the name ‘Shona’ is derived from a word in their native language that means ‘house of stone.’ There is no technical artistic training in Shona sculpture. Sculpting skills are passed down through families and the large and hard stones are carved with only a hammer and chisel. Hemingway Gallery purchases this sculpture directly from the Shona artists in Zimbabwe and has imported the monumental stone artwork since the early 1980s. These fine modern sculptures are unparalleled in both carving skill and design. Hemingway holds long-standing relationships with artists like Bywell Sango, Sylvester Mubayi, Witness Bonjisi and many more.

Click the Shona Sculpture tab below for further information!

Shipping:

• Subsidized Shipping with FedEx Ground: $150. 
• Delivery in the New York area is available via truck.
• We ship around the world! Our website is still new and is not yet processing automatic international shipping rates. Please contact us directly for custom shipping quotes outside the mainland USA (including Hawaii and Alaska).

Our Pricing:

Our pricing correlates directly to the asking prices of artists in Zimbabwe and the costs of importing their artwork to the U.S. We need to change the idea that artists should be paid pennies for their fine art just because it comes from Africa. Paying a fair price to our artists is our number one priority and our pricing reflects that.

Further Information:

Please email us at info@hemingwayafricangallery.com or call 212-838-3650 with the SKU # for further information on this piece.