"Steps to the Sky" Sculpture by Bywell Sango
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"Steps to the Sky" Sculpture by Bywell Sango
Hemingway African Gallery
88 Leonard St.
New York NY 10013
United States
Artist Bio: Bywell Sango
Bywell Sango, born on November 28, 1979, is a distinguished stone sculptor from Zimbabwe, belonging to the Soko (Monkey) clan. Influenced by his late brother, Brighton Sango, Bywell began sculpting at an early age. He is married to Priscilla Muchehwa, and together they have four children.
During school holidays, Bywell honed his skills by assisting Brighton in creating and completing sculptures, developing a unique cubic style. The competitive spirit among the Sango brothers encouraged subtle yet distinct approaches to their art. Bywell's work focuses on perfecting his cubic interpretation of emotions and situations in abstract form, drawing inspiration from the natural shape of the stone rather than Shona mythology.
Bywell's sculptures have been showcased globally and throughout Zimbabwe. He prefers working with Cobalt, Opal, Springstone, and Serpentine. His remarkable contributions to the Zimbabwean art industry have seen some of his sculptures ranked among the top 100 from the country.
Looking ahead, Bywell aims to establish his own studio to train less privileged young artists and to facilitate exhibitions, workshops, and cultural exchange programs worldwide.
Country of Origin
- Hand carved in Zimbabwe
Dimensions (inches)
- Depth: 4"
- Width: 18"
- Height: 74"
- Dimensions do not include the base.
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'.
Display
- This piece includes an iron base for added stability.
- This piece can be displayed outside as weather will not harm the stone. Shona sculpture is the perfect addition to any garden design!
Shipping & Delivery
- 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 greater 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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