"Core" Torso Sculpture by Witness Bonjisi
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"Core" Torso Sculpture by Witness Bonjisi
Hemingway African Gallery
88 Leonard St.
New York NY 10013
United States
Country of Origin
- Hand carved in Zimbabwe
Dimensions (in inches)
- Depth: 5"
- Width: 7"
- Height: 12"
- The dimensions include the square base, as shown in the photos.
Material: Springstone
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Springstone comes from the Guruve mine in northern Zimbabwe. It is one of the hardest stones found in the country and has an elevated density allowing it to be polished to a bright shine. Springstone contains high deposits of iron which can sometimes be seen in a reddish-brown outer layer on the stone. The iron also makes it an incredibly hard stone to carve by hand.
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One of the most famous 1st generation carvers, John Takawira, was said to have coined the name 'springstone' when he tried to carve the stone and it was so dense and strong that the chisel sprung off the stone, hence the name 'springstone'.
Display
- The square wooden base shown in the photos is included with the piece.
- This piece is suitable for both indoor and outdoor display, as the stone is weather-resistant. Let us know your intended display location, and we’ll ensure the base is appropriate. Shona sculptures make a stunning addition to any garden design!
Shipping
- FedEx Ground Shipping: $30
- Smaller pieces are shipped via FedEx Ground in a secure box, with careful packaging to ensure safe delivery. To make fine art shipping more affordable, we subsidize part of the cost.
- Each shipment includes a declared value, requiring a signature upon delivery for added security.
Artist Bio: Witness Bonjisi
Born in 1975 into a family of seven and is younger brother to renowned sculptor, Lameck Bonjisi. His other brother Tafunga Bonjisi is a sculptor whose pieces can also be found at Hemingway Gallery. Witness attended primary education in Domboshava, Chinamhora and then completed his secondary studies in Mabvuku, near Harare.
Witness started sculpting at age 17 with Nicholas Mukomberanwa (one of the most famous first-generation Shona sculptors), as did his brother Lameck. Witness then moved on to sculpting with his brother Lameck of whom he was inspired by. Five years later he started sculpting his own works. Witness has flown to America and Switzerland attending workshops and exhibiting. His sculptures can be found throughout the world in private collections and galleries.
Stone sculpture from Zimbabwe, emerging in 1956 and thriving to this day, is celebrated as a cornerstone of African contemporary art. Northern Zimbabwe is uniquely rich in carvable stone, so central to the culture that the country’s name, 'Zimbabwe,' derives from a word meaning 'house of stone.'
Shona sculpture is rooted in tradition rather than formal training. Skills are passed down through generations, with artists using only a hammer and chisel to transform large, hard stones into masterpieces.
Hemingway Gallery has been working directly with Shona artists in Zimbabwe since the early 1980s, importing their monumental stone artwork to share with the world. These exceptional sculptures are unmatched in craftsmanship and design.
Over the years, Hemingway Gallery has collaborated with legendary first-generation artists like Sylvester Mubayi, Henry Munyaradzi, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Bernard Matemera, Colleen Madamombe, Fanizani Akuda, and Josiah Manzi. Today, we proudly continue this tradition, partnering with current artists such as Bywell Sango, Perlagia Mutyavaviri, Witness Bonjisi, Tafunga Bonjisi, Douglass Goshami, Dominic Benhura, Nesbert Mukomberanwa, Godfry Matangira, Remember Chikuruwo, and many others.
- Shipping for large or fragile pieces like this is determined on a case-by-case basis, as custom crates may be required for added protection. To ensure you receive the best shipping rate, we calculate costs after purchase. For a shipping estimate on the large pieces, please give us a call! 212-838-3650 or email info@hemingwayafricangallery.com
- Each shipment includes a declared value, requiring a signature upon delivery for added security.
- Delivery in the New York area is available. Please contact us for options.
- International Shipping: We ship around the world! Our website cannot process automatic international shipping rates. Please contact us directly for custom shipping quotes outside the continental U.S.A., (including Hawaii and Alaska).
Free shipping often means the cost is hidden in the product price, a common tactic that can mislead buyers. In fine art, transparency matters—buyers shouldn’t pay for shipping they don’t use. That’s why our pricing is straightforward, without hidden fees, ensuring fairness whether you pick up your art or have it shipped.
Our pricing reflects the asking prices set by the artists in Zimbabwe where we purchase directly from the artists, as well as the real costs of responsibly importing their work to the United States. We are committed to challenging the outdated notion that fine art from Africa should be undervalued. Paying artists fairly is our highest priority, and our pricing is structured to honor their skill and labor.
Please email us at info@hemingwayafricangallery.com or call 212-838-3650 with the SKU # for further information about this specific piece.
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