The Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition is excited to announce that the museum display has been enlarged and enriched by the addition of a wonderful collection of traditional Shona Sculptures by Jonathan Matimba, one of the three most famous and influential stone and wood carvers of the 1950s and ‘60s. This has come about thanks to Dr Jonathan Zilberg, who visited Zimbabwe last year and made us more aware of the wealth of talent – historical and modern – which we have in our area.
On a trip into the Nyatate area, north of Nyanga, we were grateful to has as our guide, one of Jonathan Matimba’s sons, Munetsi, who has kept in touch with us. The family offered some months ago, to let us display some of Jonathan’s works for as long as we wish, in order that they can be seen and appreciated by the public. If interest is shown in purchasing any of the pieces, the prices will be available.
The transport of the works of art from the Matimba’s homestead was kindly made possible by a donation from Mr Rob Burrett.
The sculptures are now on display in the Wagon Shed. We are awaiting a full history of the life of the artist and the titles and explanations of the meanings and inspiration behind each work of art.
Members of three of the main modern-day Nyanga stone sculptor groups have been invited to bring one piece of work each to display along with Matimba’s work for the duration of the long weekend: 10th-15th August 2018. Please do join us: we would love to share our new collection with you.