Mystery In Stone Exhibtion

Intimacy by Gedion Nyanhongo

Exhibition of stone sculptures from Zimbabwe

BOTANICAL GARDENS & GLASSHOUSES EXHIBITION
from 1 July to mid October 2008

Four themes, family, joy, sorrow, rites of passage are encapsulated in thirty five extraordinary contemporary hand carved stone sculptures by Shona artists depicting their culture, religious beliefs and everyday life. The exhibition has travelled around the World and is arriving in Birmingham from London in July to the great excitement of art collectors and public alike.

Mystery in Stone was established more than twelve years ago as the artists' creative vision of themselves, their work and the treasured brilliance of their accomplishments. The artists are creative geniuses of extra ordinary skills. They have mastered the magic of interweaving colour, form, texture, essence, belief and emotion with stone. Each of them has devoted decades of effort in an apprenticeship towards the development of their talent and have created some of the most artistically influential fine African artwork of the last half century.

Mystery in Stone, under the direction of Tawanda and Mercy Sarireni, is a collection of the premiere of Zimbabwean artists from the first, second and third generation of stone sculptors. Tawanda is both an artist and an administrator. He holds a Masters of Business Administration degree (MBA) from the University of East London and has worked for the world renowned art community, Tengenenge for six years.

Mystery in Stone is also committed to the direct support of the Zimbabwean artists, their families, their community, and the education and care of the deceased family members of artists lost to Aids.

For more information contact: Linda Keen, Publicity Manager, Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TR
Tel: 0121 454 1860
Email: linda@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk