"Deep In Memory" by Lovemore Bonjisi

Country of Origin

• Hand carved in Zimbabwe

Dimensions (in inches)

• Depth: 10" 
• Width: 22" 
• Height: 17"
• The dimensions include the square base, as shown in the photos.

Material: Cobalt Stone

• Cobalt stone, sourced from the northern mines of Zimbabwe. Showcases captivating shades of deep purple, light greens, and occasional yellow. Unfortunately its availability is dwindling, making it a rare find. Its distinct colorful markings present a challenge due to their brittle nature. Yet, for adept sculptors, the vibrant colors and diverse textures of Cobalt can be transformed into truly breathtaking masterpieces.
  

Display

• The square wooden base shown in the photos is included with the piece.
• "Deep In Memory" 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

• Specialty Heavy & Fragile U.S. Shipping with FedEx Ground: $250
• 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.
• Delivery in the New York area is available.

Artist Bio: Lovemore Bonjisi

Born in Ruwa, Zimbabwe, in 1985, Lovemore Bonjisi is the youngest of seven children in a renowned family of sculptors. A member of Zimbabwe's second generation of Shona sculptors, he bridges traditional artistry with contemporary expressions. Lovemore’s early exposure to the craft began under the mentorship of the legendary Nicholas Mukomberanwa, a First Generation Shona sculptor known for stylized faces and cubist forms. This influence shaped Lovemore’s artistic foundation and inspired his decision to pursue sculpture professionally at the age of 14.

Lovemore also credits his late brother, Lameck Bonjisi, a trailblazer in Zimbabwean stone sculpture, for fostering his creativity. Under Lameck’s guidance, Lovemore developed his signature style, marked by fluid and elegant forms, sharp angles, and beautifully lifelike faces. His sculptures blend traditional Shona motifs with modern artistry, often favoring Springstone and Cobalt for their durability and vivid beauty.

Today, Lovemore Bonjisi’s work is celebrated worldwide, gracing galleries and private collections. His ability to reveal the hidden sculpture within stone reflects both his technical mastery and his deep connection to his craft, carrying forward the legacy of Zimbabwean stone sculpture into the modern era.

About Shona Sculpture

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, and many others.