"Dreaming" Sculpture by Sylvester Mubayi
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"Dreaming" Sculpture by Sylvester Mubayi
Hemingway African Gallery
88 Leonard St.
New York NY 10013
United States
Artist Bio: Sylvester Mubayi
Mubayi was born in 1942 in the Chiota Reserve near Marondera. After leaving school Sylvester worked as a tobacco grader and moved to Harare in 1966 to seek employment at the Chubuku Breweries. In 1967 he joined the Sculptors Community at Tengenenge. Later he was a founding member of the Vukutu Workshop School established be Frank McEwen who much later in 1987 said of Mubayi, “Certainly when I knew him he was by far the greatest sculptor there... I have tremendous admiration for him... some of his work is as great as the world.”
Sylvester lived and worked in Chitungwiza. His work is inspired by a world of spirit and supernatural forces often fusing people and the animal world. Skeletons inspired his early work. He has exhibited extensively since 1968 in many parts of the world and has work in major collections in Europe and North America.
Sylvester passed away in December of 2022. He was the last remaining first generation Shona artist.
Country of Origin
- Hand carved in Zimbabwe
Dimensions (in inches)
- Depth: 6"
- Length: 25"
- Height: 6"
Type of Stone
- Springstone
- 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.
- 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'.
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
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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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