"Loop" Sculpture by Nesbert Mukomberanwa

Artist Biography 

Nesbert Mukomberanwa (born 1969) is the nephew of the famous first generation Shona artist. Nicholas Mukomberanwa. Nesbert apprenticed under his uncle for two years, learning the intricacies of stone carving. In 1989, he started his own workshop and developed his uniquely refined style of sculpture. Nesbert's pieces are extremely delicate and finely carved. He utilizes Springstone to create highly reflective pieces that do not look like stone.

 Country of Origin

• Hand carved in Zimbabwe

Dimensions (in inches)

• Depth: 7.5" 
• Width: 7.5" 
• Height: 7.5"

Material

• 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'.

Shipping

• Subsidized U.S. FedEx Ground shipping: $65
• Smaller pieces like this are shipped with FedEx Ground in a large box. These pieces are fragile and we take care to ensure your sculpture arrives safely. Shipping fine art is expensive, so we subsidize the cost of shipping for you.
• A declared value is included in each shipment so a signature upon delivery is required. 
  

Display

• This piece is free-standing.
• This piece can be displayed outside as weather will not harm the stone. Shona sculpture is the perfect addition to any garden design!

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, Remember Chikuruwo, and many others.