Monkey Sculpture by Dominic Benhura
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Monkey Sculpture by Dominic Benhura
Hemingway African Gallery
88 Leonard St.
New York NY 10013
United States
Ethically sourced from Zimbabwe
Hand-carved hard stone
Carefully packed, ships from NYC
Family gallery since 1975
Description of Significance
The sculpture is an exceptionally unique piece by Dominic Benhura. Dominic is part of the second generation of Shona Artists carving in Zimbabwe. He brought a new abstracted style to the Shona movement. This piece is one of Benhura's earlier sculptures and it differs from his traditional anthropomorphic style. In addition to its beauty, it is also an example of extraordinary engineering as the balance in the tail is perfect.
Artist Bio: Dominic Benhura
"At the age of 10 Dominic Benhura began to assist his cousin, the sculptor Tapfuma Gutsa, and soon after to create his own works. Many early formative years were spent at Chapungu Sculpture Park and he is today regarded as the cutting edge of Zimbabwe sculpture with one man exhibitions in Zimbabwe, Australia, Belgium, Holland, Germany and America.
His subject matter is extensive including plants, trees, reptiles, animals and the whole gamut of human experience. Benhura has an exceptional ability to portray human feeling through form rather than facial expression.
His method of working is different to many of his contemporaries. He sketches profusely and a sketch book is always close at hand.
He continues to lead by experimentation and innovation and has created many memorable works."
Country of Origin
- Hand carved in Zimbabwe
Dimensions (inches)
- Width: 8"
- Depth: 15"
- Height: 79"
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 includes the black pedestal shown in the photos.
Shipping
- Shipping on large or fragile pieces is calculated on a case by case basis. This is because sometimes a custom crate is needed. We also want to make sure to get you the best shipping quote so we price out rates after purchase. For a shipping estimate on the large pieces, please give us a call! 212-838-3650 or email info@hemingwayafricangallery.com
- Delivery in the New York area is available via truck.
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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