Profile of
Bernard Matemera

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Bernard was born 1946 in Guruve. Bernard Matemera was a founder member of Tengenenge and was for many years the symbolic leader of the community.

His uncompromising and powerful images are now found in public and private collections throughout the world. Very African and sometimes grotesque in imagery, his works are initially difficult to assimilate but are often disturbingly emotive and imbued with a deep sense of pathos. They were the subject matter of his dreams: animals, spirits, people and creatures, and the ever-present metamorphosis between them. Definitive works include Blind Man, Great Spirit Woman, The Man who Ate his Totem and Chapungu.

Highly acclaimed, he has been described as amongst the best stone sculptors of our times. Bernard died on the 4th March 2002 and has our deepest respect.