Sculpture Portfolio

This warm sculpture portrays kuzvipeta or the Shona gesture of spiritual humbleness. Kuzvipeta means 'to fold oneself' or to show a proper humble position in deference to others and all things around you in nature. It is the highest form of respect and good manners, and indicates excellent character and profound spiritual inner strength. Kuzvipeta is a central characteristic of the 'Good Man' or 'Good Woman' in Shona society. Among the Shona, it is an honor both to give and receive kuzvipeta.

This spirit form represents the revered ancestral spirit who, while sitting at rest, carefully ponders how best to instruct and guide the family. It is this spiritual guidance from the ancient ancestors that protects and directs the daily life of the descendants. This relationship maintains the time honored traditions and continuity of both Shona culture and spirit over the many centuries.

Behind every traditional African man or woman lies the mudzimu or powerful ancestral spirits. They provide a thread of spiritual continuity throughout the generations. They are sometimes called guardian spirits because they protect the family from harm. These wise guardian ancestors know everything that has happened in the past and will happen in the future. In time of trouble or urgency the mudzimu can speak through a spirit medium or svikiro, but more often they communicate directly with their sleeping descendants. Black serpentine stone

In Shona society, family cohesion acts as the foundation for the entire culture. As the sacred unit, all laws governing Shona society serve to protect these vulnerable bonds and promote to sustain their ancient culture. The tenderness and sweetness of this mother and child, captured in a moment's embrace, offer a constant reminder that love abounds in all places of the world. Fruit serpentine stone.

This gentle bird coos throughout the African bush offering a lovely rhythmic song. But this important bird serves as an early warning to village mothers that lions or leopards lurk dangerously close to the village. When the doves stop cooing, the village becomes silent. This silence tells Shona mothers to quickly gather their children into their huts for safety. When the doves begin cooing once again, then the mothers release the children for all is safe once again. The African dove, called tagurukutana, is the host for the ancestral spirit of gentleness, laughter and song. Even the Shona name evokes the rhythmic cooing that the dove sings from the trees. Black spring stone .

This noble and mighty bird is revered for its power, grace and its close relationship to the mythical spirit world. The chapungu or eagle is believed in Shona mythology to be the messenger of God and spirits. One of the most highly regarded spirit totems, the eagle travels swiftly, views the world from a great height, detects danger and warns humankind. When lightning arcs through the sky, the great chapungu brings a powerful message from God to man. The Shona salute this great flying spirit by clapping their hands and singing towards the sky whenever the eagle is seen flying overhead. Fruit serpentine stone.

This gentle bird coos throughout the African bush offering a lovely rhythmic song. But this important bird serves as an early warning to village mothers that lions or leopards lurk dangerously close to the village. When the doves stop cooing, the village becomes silent. This silence tells Shona mothers to quickly gather their children into their huts for safety. When the doves begin cooing once again, then the mothers release the children for all is safe once again. The African dove, called tagurukutana, is the host for the ancestral spirit of gentleness, laughter and song. Even the Shona name evokes the rhythmic cooing that the dove sings from the trees. Black spring stone .

Zimbabwe bush, calling a mate to nest. Their brightly colored long curved bills enable them to probe flowers for nectar. Of the 116 species of Sun birds, 14 of them inhabit Zimbabwe. Cobalt stone.

In Shona folklore, all things possess a spiritual nature—rocks, water, animals and, of course, plants. This work, depicting a new seed emerging, portrays the powerful spirit of life, regeneration and spiritual metamorphosis. The seed, captured in stone at the moment of germination, begins its new life. The Shona believe that all things possess a spiritual nature and can transform their physical being into another form by allowing their soul to leave, wander and return once again. Transformation can take place at any time, into any form, and can be repeated many times during one's lifetime. Nothing else demonstrates re-creation more clearly than that of nature in which the African is so beautifully surrounded.

In Shona folklore, all things possess a spiritual nature—rocks, water, animals and, of course, plants. This work, depicting a new seed emerging, portrays the powerful spirit of life, regeneration and spiritual metamorphosis. The seed, captured in stone at the moment of germination, begins its new life. The Shona believe that all things possess a spiritual nature and can transform their physical being into another form by allowing their soul to leave, wander and return once again. Transformation can take place at any time, into any form, and can be repeated many times during one's lifetime. Nothing else demonstrates re-creation more clearly than that of nature in which the African is so beautifully surrounded: Brown serpentine .