News from
ZimSculpt.Com

Dow Gardens, Midland, Michigan - from Saturday 22nd June until Sunday 4th August 2013

Please come and join us at Dow Gardens.  The Dow Gardens were started in 1899 by Herbert Dow, founder of The Dow Chemical Company. The Gardens, originally developed on eight acres of flat, sandy land, provided a creative outlet for Herbert Dow’ and his interest in agriculture and design. He created gardens, ponds and hills according to a simple philosophy that we still follow to this day: “never reveal the gardens’ whole beauty at first glance.”

Alden B. Dow, Herbert’s youngest son and an experienced architect, continued his father's work on the Gardens. The family connection continued with the involvement of Herbert Dow’s grandson, Herbert Dow II.

Thanks to the dedicated guidance of the Dow family, the Gardens have grown to 110 acres. Alden Dow once wrote: “I think this garden is a most interesting side of my father's character.” Today, the creativity of Herbert Dow is still revealed to all those who visit Dow Gardens.

​

We arrived at Naples Botanical Garden, Florida USA!  Call +1 239 250 3339 for information...

Over 100 sculptures on display within the exquisite tropical grounds of the NBG and a large marquee full of smaller pieces to feast your eyes on, something for everyone!

Here's our press reviews;

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130122/COLUMNISTS14/301220023/Sculptures-shape-Naples-gardens?nclick_check=1

http://www.naplesnews.com/photos/galleries/2013/feb/01/zimsculpt-naples-botanical-garden-zimbabwe-sculpt/261819/

We've added quite a few pieces that are now located in the South of France (for any of you with holiday homes there!?!) the warehouse is in Ales, is not too far from Nimes.

Keep intouch, let me know if there is anything I can let you know more about...

Best wishes as always
Vivienne / Zimsculpt Team

We hope you had a lovely Christmas with your family and loved ones.  We wish you a very Happy New Year for 2013 and hope that everything you wish for comes true.

We will be departing for Florida mid January for our 2nd show at the Naples Botanical Garden starting 1st February until 24th March.

I will be 40 years old in March, my son 4 (the same day) and our wedding anniversary 4 (officially!) in September, so it's all the 4's for us...

We have started uploading smaller pieces on the website, as promised last month.  All of these pieces are now located in a warehouse in France and should be easy to send from there to any destination!

The website is 'still' being worked on and hopefully will be great once finished.

No other news to report, but looking forward to sending you some pictures of new pieces once we're up and running in February. 

Best wishes to you all
Vivienne & Zimsculpt(ors)

... until 8th October

The launch at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Onatario was super!  Thanks to everyone that made it, making it so special to see old friends - you made us feel very welcome...

Passmore Mupindiko and Patrick Sephani are in the gardens daily demonstrating their skill and talent and talking you through the patience and life as a sculptor in Zimbabwe.

Please be sure to pass back to the gardens on a regular basis, especially anytime from the week commencing the 10th September when we would have received our new stock from Zimbabwe and lots of pieces would have been sold (hopefully) or swapped out with new stock - an 'evolving' exhibition!

Thank you for visiting us - if you would like more information about any of the pieces on display, delivery, opening times or any other query, our numbers are 905 483 6356 (Vivienne) & 905 483 6351 (Joseph).

Some photos of the exhibition can be seen at; 
http://www.rbg.ca/ZimSculpt
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/eqj3o2aulved0kq/SPwj_Gt7fH
http://www.meetup.com/Social-Free-Spirits/photos/10640122/#157454012

Press coverage;
http://www.hamiltonmagazine.com/sitepages/?aid=6323&cn=WEB%20EXCLUSIVE&an=ZimSculpt%20Exhibit
http://discoverburlingtonontario.blogspot.ca/2012/08/zimsculpt-at-royal-botanical-gardens.html
http://www.routedesjardinsducanada.ca/cg/index.php/gardens/get_garden/40

I'm also proud to announce that we have uploaded many YouTube videos of interviews with the artists, so now you can see them in person, as if you were talking to them yourselves... we hope that this will help you connect even more with the sculptors and the pieces you have purchased.

With regards, Vivienne

Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, Florida, USA
through to April 22
Open Daily from 9am to 5pm

For further information call us on (+1) 239 682 2199...

We have over 80 large sculptures on display in the garden and over 200 small pieces in our Sales Tent.  With over 200 artists represented, we have the largest collection of renowned and emerging sculptors in present day Zimbabwe.

For photos and a video of the sculptor in residence, Patrick Sephani visit the following press articles;

http://naples.floridaweekly.com/news/2012-04-12/Arts_(and)_Entertainment_News/ZIMSCULPT_IN_BLOOM.html

http://floridaflowersandgardens.blogspot.ca/2012/07/zimsculpt-zimbabwean-sculpture-at.html

https://plus.google.com/112354512005018332798/posts/cw9tDxogrpp#112354512005018332798/posts/cw9tDxogrpp

We look forward to meeting you!

We are just preparing our trip to Florida in the U.S.

We're awaiting approval for our 'business' visa's which has been another (visa) headache for us, but one that we're waiting to get resolved asap so we can get there and start setting up!  We really can't wait...  ;-)  Sadly, due to the cost of these visa's we're only able to travel with ONE artist to the U.S.

Our itinerary this year is as follows;

Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, Florida, USA
February 18 to April 15
Opening event: Friday February 17th
http://www.naplesgarden.org/show/zimsculpt

The Royal Botanical Garden, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
August 25 to October 8
Opening event: Friday August 24
http://www.rbg.ca/

To come to the opening of either of these event's please contact us and we'll forward your details to the Event's Team.

If you know anyone who lives or is visiting these areas whilst we're there, please forward this email to them.

Sorry to everyone in the UK that we won't be seeing you... I in particular will miss you all and my homeland, the first year in 12 that I haven't curated a show there!  Still, our first show in the U.S. hopes to be a success and I hope their hospitality won't make any of us feel homesick!

We do hope that you will continue to browse our website if the temptation is niggling you :-) 

With warm wishes as always Vivienne
(waiting in Zimbabwe!)

We've returned back home.  The usual water shortages and settling back to life in Harare has kept us on our toes since our return.

We're looking forward to getting out there and visiting all the artists again...

If you would like to get intouch about anything, please do not hesitate - info@zimsculpt.com

It's really hot and sticky in Harare right now, so we're looking forward to getting water soon!

Best wishes to you all, enjoy the new pieces posted on the site.

Vivienne

From August 12 – September 25 2011 - exhibition open from 10-6pm daily

VanDusen Botanical Garden will play host to Zimsculpt for the third consecutive year.  A traveling exhibition of more than 150 stone sculptures by several of Zimbabwe’s finest sculptors.  VanDusen is the exhibit’s only Canadian stop on a world-wide tour that also included the Chelsea Garden Show (London, UK) earlier this year.

Accompanied by Curators, Vivienne & Joseph Croissette and two of the artists, Passmore Mupindiko and Patrick Sephani, the exhibit will see sculpture pieces strikingly arranged throughout VanDusen’s many Garden areas and collections.

The word ‘Zimbabwe’ translates as ‘Great Stone House’ in the Shona language. The origins of Zimbabwean stone sculpture go far back in the roots of the Shona people, with ancient stone carvings of ‘Shona Birds’ discovered in the area around Great Zimbabwe in the late 19th century.

While modern Zimbabwean stone sculpture draws on this ancient sculpting tradition, it is a distinctly modern art form that takes inspiration from contemporary life as well as traditional and spiritual beliefs. The contemporary Zimbabwean stone sculpture movement began in 1958, when Frank McEwen was appointed as the first Director of the National Art Gallery in what was then Rhodesia. He had previously been curator at the Museé Rodin in Paris and had links with various artists of the time, including Picasso and Matisse. Since its introduction in the 1960s, contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture has been embraced by the Western art scene. Many Zimbabwean sculptors have gained international recognition as master sculptors – rivalling artists such as Sir Henry Moore. After Moore’s death in 1986, art critics were quick to note that the world’s more notable sculptors could now be found in Zimbabwe. As critic Michael Shepherd wrote, “Now that Henry Moore is dead, who is the greatest stone carver in the world? In my experience there are three outstanding contenders ... and all three come from Zimbabwe.” (Michael Shepherd, Art Review, London, 1988)

Since its opening in 1975, VanDusen Botanical Garden has been a recognized venue for major sculpture exhibitions. In 1976 the Garden was the site of the Vancouver International Stone Sculpture Symposium which saw a dozen leading artists from around the world carving stone in situ. The legacy is a magnificent collection of sculpture that graces VanDusen to this day. Since then other major pieces, such as The Throne of Nezahualcoyotl by famed Mexican sculptor Sebastian, have found their way into the Garden’s collection.  Passmore Mupindiko and Patrick Sephani, artists from Zimbabwe, will be continuing the tradition by giving daily on-site demonstrations of their stone-carving art.

Pieces in the Zimsculpt exhibit will be available for sale with proceeds going to support the Garden. There is no extra charge to see Zimsculpt; it is included in regular Garden admission prices.

For more information on VanDusen Botanical Garden and its programs, please visit www.vandusengarden.org

or call the curator Vivienne on +1 778 386 0165.

YouTube 'Welcome' Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxemjm5GdH8&feature=player_embedded

Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vandusenbotanicalgarden/tags/zimsculpt/

Media:
http://www.bcliving.ca/blogs/adventures/choose-your-own-adventure/zimsculpt-stone-sculptures-vandusen-botanical-garden  http://www.straight.com/article-425336/vancouver/sculpture-rocks
http://vancouver.about.com/b/2011/08/15/zimsculpt-returns-to-vandusen-botanical-garden.htm
http://blog.trufflesfinefoods.com/2011/08/zimsculpt-grand-opening/
http://gardennews.biz/?id=7320
http://pinq.ca/sponsored/rock-steady/
http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2011/08/12/zimsculpt-returns-to-vandusen-botanical-garden/#more-17214
http://www.cityfood.com/events/home_%26_garden_events/zimsculpt_at_vandusen_gardens
http://www.vancouversun.com/Westcoast+Life+Calendar+picks/5237402/story.html
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/8260115/BC/Vancouver/Zimsculpt-Stone-Scupture-of-Zimbabwe/VanDusen-Botanical-Garden/
http://www.vancourier.com/travel/Community+Calendar/5212692/story.html
http://www.coastreporter.net/article/20110805/SECHELT0501/308059999/-1/sechelt/african-carvers-teach-cultural-tradition
http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2011/09/03/zimsculpt-returns-for-last-year-at-vandusen/
http://www.savvyinsider.ca/

We're just about to finish our exhibition within Loseley Park - with over 100 sculptures on display in the Walled Garden covering 2.5 acres.

Our exhibition is still open from this Friday 1st until Sunday 3rd July, from 11am to 5pm.  This weekend there will also be a Food Festival at Loseley, so well worth a visit to see us both!

More information about Loseley can be found at http://www.loseleypark.co.uk/visiting-loseley

We receive many enquiries regarding lighting sculpture and have a very good contact in this business.  Please follow the link to see their recommendation for illuminating your special pieces;

http://www.ecoledlight.co.uk/led-exterior-lighting.asp

We're just about to install over 100 sculptures within Loseley Parks' walled Garden covering 2.5 acres.

Our exhibition runs from Saturday 4th June until Sunday 3rd July.  Open Tuesday-Sunday 11am to 5pm.

More information about Loseley can be found at http://www.loseleypark.co.uk/visiting-loseley

We will also have a marquee selling smaller sculptures, Zimbabwean furniture and weaved baskets. Two sculptors invited especially from Zimbabwe will also be holding daily demonstrations.

If you would like to speak to us, please call on 0774 8605011 for further information.

See you there!

Vivienne & The Team

We have a limited amount of courtesy tickets for Chelsea Flower Show. If you can make it and would like to join us, please email info@zimsculpt.com asap. I'll email you the rest of the details. A small perk for having such a big stand there... our stand number is MR/15.

Chelsea runs from 24-28th May from 8am to 8pm. Tickets to the public have sold out.

More details can be found on their website;
http://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/2011

Also just to say thanks to those who made it to our Barn Open Day. We were overwhelmed with the amount of visitors which we really didn't expect it! Some friends we hadn't seen since 2004... time flies.

See you at Chelsea!
Best wishes
Vivienne

call Vivienne on 0774 8605011 for more information!

RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London
24 – 28 May

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2011

Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey
June 4 - July 3
http://www.loseley-park.com

West Coast Native and Zimbabwean Sculptor’s Workshop
Rock ‘n Art, Gibsons, Sunshine Coast, Canada

22 – 31 July

rocknart@dccnet.com

VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, Canada
August 12 – September 25
http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen/website/contactus/index.htm

We have been honoured to have been contacted by Richard Jack, a renowned white Zimbabwean sculptor who's work we've admired since the day we were introduced to him back in 2000.

Richard set the trend in a modern international forum for Zimbabwean sculptors - using mixed media such as stone, metal and wood.  Painting is also one of his passions and he has had other exhibitions mixing painting with sculpture.

Richard Jack was born in 1949 in Harare, Zimbabwe.  He moved to England in 2002 and continues sculpting and exhibiting.

He returned back to Zimbabwe this month and got intouch with us to sell his remaining works left here in Harare.  We're honoured to be representing Richard after years of wanting to... and will be incorporating his work in this years exhibitions in the UK.

Please take time to view his works on our website.  3 exhibition catalogues come with every purchase - these were for exhibitions curated at The Delta Gallery and The National Gallery in Harare.  Some of the works displayed are in these catalogues and are indicated accordingly. 

His biography is on our 'artists' page, please take time to read up about him... his work is, we think, superb!

Interview (2003)  http://www.nai.uu.se/research/finalized_projects/cultural_images_in_and_of/zimbabwe/sculpture/jack/

I hope Spring may have started showing it's pretty head by now...

We're looking forward to our Summer exhibitions and are collecting furiously from all over the country. We had a great trip out to Tengenenge, the world-famous Sculpture Community based in the middle of nowhere!

http://www.tengenenge-tomblomefield.com/village/village.html

Tengenenge is now owned by world-renowned Zimbabwean Sculptor Dominic Benhura. It was great to see all the artists after about 3 years that I personally hadn't been out there (I had a baby!). Even though many of the artists are working for the Chinese who are mining out there, they still managed to prepare us some work. And we're happy to still support them after 10 years. We also drove right out to Guruve, Mudindo and Raffingora to visit artists there too, a very remote area in the North West of Harare. There are about 50+ artists working in small villages dotted around the most amazing landscape. It was lovely to see everyone again and we took our child along so we could prove why I hadn't been for a while ;-)

On a different note and a sad one, the great First Generation artist Fanizani Akuda died a couple of weeks ago, I felt privileged to be in Harare so I could attend his funeral and was happy to contribute in a small way. It was good to see so many people at his funeral, a respected figure in the Zimbabwean stone sculpture movement. Rest In Peace Fanizani.

We've just donated over US$1,500 to the charity we support here in Harare, Inter-Country People's Aid. They're doing great work here on the ground. It's really good to work with local NGO's, they know what they're doing and they're not faced with major Political problems, as I've heard some people are when they're trying to set up projects here.

This is all our news for the time being. We hope to hear from you soon. With love and best wishes Zimsculpt

Zimsculpt and all the artists we work with in Zimbabwe would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2011.

We are sending lots of warm degrees to those who are in the cold and perhaps snow right now...  brrhhhhh.  It's very strange putting up a Christmas Tree and Father Christmas and snowflakes when its warm!  Traditions don't adapt whichever country you may live in...

We are not a 'Charity' and have never proposed to be.  We do our fairshare with donating sculptures for fundraising events (mostly linked to Zimbabwe) and also collect clothes etc which we personally pay to get shipped back to Zimbabwe.

We are consistently disgusted by many other Zimbabwean sculpture dealers who are proporting to give generously to Charity's or whom advise customers a proportion of sales goes to Charities, helps artists by fairtrade, but when we ask here on the ground in Zimbabwe, nothing can be further than the truth.  The world has taken 'Fairtrade' and 'non-profit' to become almost a fashion accessory, rather than a deeper meaning, believing that it is 'so' when there are hardly any means to check these remarks unless these can be monitored at the grass roots.  It is NOT a competition to see who can purport to do the best.... just DO it and don't expect praise.  Giving should be a humble motion!

Life in Zimbabwe 'appears' to have improved.  Most importantly municipal water has returned to many taps, which makes a journey to a well for most people one less thing to worry about in day to day life.  Electricity is still on and off though.  The country is getting richer with its 'minerals' but these basic commodities are failing to be addressed.

We are really looking forward to 2011 and continuing our exhibitions globally.  With this in mind we bid farewell, until the New Year.  Have a lovely festive season!

The Zimsculpt Team

We have two new venues to find for next year, so if you have any ideas, leads, contacts, let me know! 

We have a number of venues lined up for next year, with the real onus on trying to obtain a Sponsorship Licence from the British Home Office in order to invite the artists to participate in the exhibitions, which, for those who have been following our interesting journey this year, has foiled... twice!

I am determined to apply one last time before I give up altogether with the UK!  Which will be devastating, as not only because I'm British originally, but because I have so many wonderful and loyal friends (who are, incidentally current or previous customers!) because of this wonderful profession.

So, I hope, next time I write I will have some good news, as I'm just about to send in another application.

We've just come back from Vancouver, Canada, which was, as always, just divine.  The people, the place, the food.  What more can I say?  We will of course return for our last year at VanDusen next year and who knows where else in Canada or The States hopefully.

VANDUSEN Botanical Gardens 13 August - September 26, open daily...

Greetings to you all checking our site and waiting to see our latest collection of works on display at VanDusen.

We cannot wait to meet you all - old friends from last year and those who've heard all about us... so come along, bring the kids and have a wonderful day out to remember, in what is promised to be a delight for the senses.

We have an amazing collection lined up this year.  A collection which has been hand-selected from all over Zimbabwe and shipped directly for the show at VanDusen - it's promising to be even better than last year.

The two sculptors Patrick Sephani and Passmore Mupindiko will be again demonstrating their skills daily and representing all the other 200 artists we work with back 'home'.

For further information about the show, the artists or anything else for that matter call Vivienne on +1 778 386 0165.

See you soon!

'Comforting Mother' by Dominic Benhura
(one of the top ten sculptors in the world today)

Pictures:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/60306903@N00/4942189578/in/set-72157624851971842/
http://picasaweb.google.ca/elkoritar/Zimsculpt2010Aug22?authkey=Gv1sRgCNT9zpb2lPjX0QE&feat=email#

Media so far:

En Francais:  http://www.radio-canada.ca/audio-video/pop.shtml#urlMedia%3Dhttp://www.radio-canada.ca/Medianet/2010/CBUF/4ebd0846_20100817_172803.asx&promo%3DZAPmedia_Telejournal&duree%3Dcourt

In English:

http://loucorpuz.blogspot.com/2010/09/stones-sing-again-at-van-dusen.html

http://www.vancouver.com/get_article?article_id=399

http://newzimsituation.com/stone-artwork-strikes-spiritual-chord-74000.htm

http://www.savvyinsider.ca/

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Stone+artwork+strikes+spiritual+chord/3397071/story.html

http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/Places,+Geography/Countries/Zimbabwe/087364v82Zb2K/1

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Stage+listings/3387135/story.html

http://thedandelionwrangler.blogspot.com/2010/08/garden-party-vandusen-garden-welcomes.html#comment-form

3rd - 25th July

11am - 5pm

http://www.knebworthhouse.com/

Sunny greetings

I am hoping that the sun is still shining by the time everyone reads this newsletter in June.  What a beautiful beginning of the Summer we've had.

Chelsea was good as always - we made some new clients and some old - not their age of course!  It was lovely to see some friendly faces, who passed to say hello, so thanks those who did and spoiled us with much needed tea, pimms and ice-cream!

I wish to thank all of those who have sympathised with us over the new tighter restrictions by the Home Office which has meant the sculptors Passmore and Patrick have not been able to join us this year on our UK tour.  If you wish to complain about this, we are more thank happy to pass on the address and contact details.

We are of course under severe strain because of this, trying to juggle a Zimbabwean Sculpture Exhibition with NO sculptors and a 1 year old baby in tow, who, as always seems oblivious to it all and enjoying all the visitors  attention!

It was our last year exhibiting at Herstmonceux Castle and the stunning Rose Garden came out just in time for our opening and delighted us with their fragrance for the duration of the exhibition.  We are sad to be leaving such a wonderful venue that is run by such genuine, dear people.  We have made friends for life with everyone there.

This weekend is the launch of our Knebworth House exhibition, running from the 3rd July until the 25th July, so please do make the trip to visit us.  It too will be our last year there, another sad departure.

We show for 3 years at each venue and then move on, so it is our 3rd and final year at both of these venues.

We have no news or plans for next year at present, we have sent out proposals and wait for them to be confirmed in writing before we advise.  We hope they may be in the UK, but with the Immigration law being so difficult now we're not sure if we can exhibit here any longer 'sans artistes'!

We hope to see you all very shortly, in one way, shape or form.

With very best wishes
Vivienne (& family)

Hello!

Hoping you and yours are all very well and are happy to be over the long Winter.

It's that time of year where we'll be hoping to jet around to host our shows - volcanic ash or not...

We've some spectacular pieces, firstly kicking off at the infamous Chelsea Flower Show.  Our garden is set to turn heads this year with our centre piece for our 'Zimbabwean Garden' - we cannot wait.  Set up commences in two weeks time.

Sadly two of our shows will be the last;  Knebworth House and Herstmonceux Castle - as we would have done our three year stint at each venue.  So I do hope to see you there if you are local or if you have friends or family nearby, make it a family occassion!

Please join as at one of the following venues or visit us if more convenient at our barn studio in Windsor (Berks) by appointment;

Chelsea Flower Show, London
25^th May – 29^th May

Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, East Sussex
5^th June – 27^th June

Knebworth House, Hertfordshire
3^rd july – Sunday 25^th July

VanDusen Botanical Gardens,
Vancouver, Canada
13^th August – 26^th September

Over the Summer season we will update the site with all of our current pieces on the internet, so those of you that are nowhere near these venues, keep checking our site!

Please note that we have a rather spectacular piece by Agnes Nyanhongo (Zimbabwe's top female artist) on our site. This is a monumental piece as you can see from the photos. We are selling this on behalf of Agnes, the piece is at her Studio in Harare. More photos can be sent.

Best wishes
Viv & The Team

It’s been 10 years since Zimsculpt was formed.   We cannot believe how the time has passed by so quickly and looking back how the business has grown.  We came from humble beginnings, exhibiting at shows like House & Garden and Grand Designs, with small stands, trying to break into the market. 

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and hope that 2010 will treat us well.

With the mark of our decade in business, we have rebranded ourselves, which we hope you will see this Summer.

We are proud to have the best collection we’ve ever had this year, with artists represented such as Agnes Nyanhongo, Dominic Benhura and the late Amos Supini and Colleen Madamombe.

We’re looking forward to showing you the collection, the work has already been shipped and is on its way!

We've been pleased to distribute half of the collection of clothing we received from donors in the UK, so a big thank you on their behalves.  The school uniforms were well received.  Half were distributed to the Tengenenge Sculpture Community with over 80 families living and working there.  Toys, shoes and clothes were also given to the this community and many other artists families living and working around Harare.  The remaining bags of clothes, toys and shoes will be distributed personally through the Charity we support IPA (details on our website) at their next distribution date. 

Our next email will be to advise our itinerary! 

Wishing you all well and hope January wasn't too stressful with back to work, school and life in general!

Last month I mentioned our work being on display at Farley Farm House, down in East Sussex (Roland Penrose & Lee Miller's old house) - they do infact have a great website, with all the details of the House and the collections which are currently on tour of these wonderful artists.  Please visit www.farleyfarmhouse.co.uk

One of the joys of living in Zimbabwe is our dialup connection to the internet, which is intermittent to say the least!  Whilst I'd love to put the wonderful new pieces we have collected on the site, our network is not permitting!  So, I have added a few as a taster, but there are more if you remember what type of works you like I will send you photos personally, which seems to be easier than uploading them on the site!

We have our stand at Chelsea confirmed, so anyone wishing to come and visit us there, please get intouch.  We have a few complimentary tickets per day, which we distribute on a first come, first served basis.

This will be our last year exhibiting at Herstmonceux Castle and Knebworth House, as we exhibit for three consecutive years and then move on.  We will be really sad to leave both venues, as we've made some great friends there and met some great people who've visited.  So please do come and say goodbye if you're near those areas.

We are looking further afield for next years shows, as in 'abroad' - so we may not be in the UK for the following few years.  Just to give everyone a break ;-)

The rainy season seems to have truly started in Zimbabwe now, which is well needed.

We hope the Winter is finally drawing to end for all those that have suffered with all the snow in Europe and the America's. 

Wishing you best wishes from Zimbabwe.

Vivienne & Co.

VANDUSEN HOSTS MAJOR SCULPTURE EXHIBIT

(Vancouver, BC) – From August 22 through October 4, 2009 VanDusen Botanical Garden will play host to Zimsculpt, a traveling exhibition of more than 150 stone sculptures by several of Zimbabwe’s finest sculptors.  VanDusen is the exhibit’s only Canadian stop on a world-wide tour that also included the Chelsea Garden Show earlier this year.

Accompanied by Curator, Vivienne Croissette and two of the artists, Passmore Mupindiko and Patrick Sephani, the exhibit will see sculpture pieces strikingly arranged throughout VanDusen’s many Garden areas and collections.

The word ‘Zimbabwe’ translates as ‘Great Stone House’ in the Shona language. The origins of Zimbabwean stone sculpture go far back in the roots of the Shona people, with ancient stone carvings of ‘Shona Birds’ discovered in the area around Great Zimbabwe in the late 19^th century.

While modern Zimbabwean stone sculpture draws on this ancient sculpting tradition, it is a distinctly modern art form that takes inspiration from contemporary life as well as traditional and spiritual beliefs. The contemporary Zimbabwean stone sculpture movement began in 1958, when Frank McEwen was appointed as the first Director of the National Art Gallery in what was then Rhodesia. He had previously been curator at the Museé Rodin in Paris and had links with various artists of the time, including Picasso and Matisse. Since its introduction in the 1960s, contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture has been embraced by the Western art scene. Many Zimbabwean sculptors have gained international recognition as master sculptors – rivalling artists such as Sir Henry Moore. After Moore’s death in 1986, art critics were quick to note that the world’s more notable sculptors could now be found in Zimbabwe. As critic Michael Shepherd wrote, “Now that Henry Moore is dead, who is the greatest stone carver in the world? In my experience there are three outstanding contenders ... and all three come from Zimbabwe.” (Michael Shepherd, Art Review, London, 1988)

Since its opening in 1975, VanDusen Botanical Garden has been a recognized venue for major sculpture exhibitions. In 1976 the Garden was the site of the Vancouver International Stone Sculpture Symposium which saw a dozen leading artists from around the world carving stone in situ. The legacy is a magnificent collection of sculpture that graces VanDusen to this day. Since then other major pieces, such as The Throne of Nezahualcoyotl by famed Mexican sculptor Sebastian, have found their way into the Garden’s collection.  Passmore Mupindiko and Patrick Sephani, artists from Zimbabwe, will be continuing the tradition by giving on-site demonstrations of their stone-carving art.

Pieces in the Zimsculpt exhibit will be available for sale with proceeds going to support the Garden. There is no extra charge to see Zimsculpt; it is included in regular Garden admission prices.

For more information on VanDusen Botanical Garden and its programs, please visit www.vandusengarden.org

Zimsculpt in Vancouver – August 22 to October 4 from 10.30am to 18.00 Daily, at VanDusen Botanical Garden - it’s carved in stone!

To see the interview with The Vancouver Sun's Steve Whysall, the curator of the exhibition and artists, visit;
http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/VanDusen+sculpture+exhibit+begs+touched/1913641/story.html?tab=VID

Today's front page of the At Home Section in The Vancouver Sun can be found at; http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/VanDusen+sculpture+exhibit+begs+touched/1913641/story.html
the inside story is also covered at; http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Zimsculpt+showcases+finest+works+rare+African/1913645/story.html

SOME PICTURES OF THE EXHIBITION;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60306903@N00/sets/72157621982982235/

ITINERARY 2009

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW, LONDON
Stand No. RS5 - 19-23 May
http://www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/shows/chelsea2009/index.asp

HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE, HAILSHAM, EAST  SUSSEX
30 May - 21 June
10.30 - 16.30 Daily
http://www.herstmonceux-castle.com
To view video footage of this exhibition see; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFkjECxl4Q8 

KNEBWORTH HOUSE, HERTS
26 June - 26 July
11.00 - 17.00 Daily
http://www.knebworthhouse.com

VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDENS, VANCOUVER, CANADA
22 August - 4 October
10.30 - 18.00 Daily
http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen/website
To receive an invite to the launch  party pls contact us

For more information or for a  private view at our warehouse in Windsor, contact Vivienne mon 0774 8605011  email:  info@zimsculpt.com or  visit http://www.zimsculpt.com

We're back in Zimbabwe and things have become quite shocking.

It's difficult to understand the situation.

We've just had an outbreak of Cholera, with over 400 reported deaths. There is no public water system anymore and electricity is getting just as bad.

Sadly in our sculptue business, more and more artists are finding greener pastures in South Africa, where there are tourists who are paying good prices and who can blame them - shipping their raw stones to South Africa to work on.

I find it hard to come to terms with how anyone is managing. The answer is they're not!

We've received all our donated items of clothing and childrens toys and would like to thank everyone personally for giving so generously.  With transportation costs now, it was really expensive to fly everything out.

So far we have given to needy artists and a church group. There is still many bags left over, so we intend to distribute these nearer to Christmas to charities working with children and old people here in Harare.

Please take a look at the artists new work on the site...

With warm and sticky wishes from a hot Harare.

Zimsculpt.com

Dear Friends & Supporters

Our beautiful sculpture which we were so proud of showing off in our last newsletter was sadly vandalised, and broke in two. Efforts to repair her proved in vain and she is now being amputated, in the hope that she will have a new life.

This years shows are slowly being confirmed, we’re very excited about all the new venues. We can’t wait to share them with you once they’re all confirmed.

Our collection is beautiful. With hardly any buyers at the present political climate here, the artists are producing exceptional quality work and it is going to be an honour to present them at our shows.

Everything as usual (in different ways) has been hard to find here in Zimbabwe, we’re struggling to find materials. Planks for our crates, packaging material, nails, all is taking a lot longer than usual, but we’re ever hopeful everything will be ready in time to be shipped mid March to arrive in time for our first show in May.

Do keep intouch with us, suggest any comments you may have or just say hello!

Greetings to you all...

Hoping you had a great Christmas!

The New Year is just about to arrive and on behalf of all the sculptors in Zimbabwe, Zimsculpt would like to thank you for all your support in 2007.

We have just acquired the most beautiful sculpture we have ever collected, by a little known artist by the name of Shingarai Dare.  We're really excited about it and extremely proud to show it off.  The piece is HUGE, standing at nearly 3.5 metres high.  Obviously, not everyone is in the market to buy such a large sculpture, but we wanted to give you all a preview before we sell it or tour with it!

This is what Zimbabwean sculptors are capable of!  It's just amazing, we hope you agree.

If there is anything we can help you with, if you finding that 'special' gift for a friend, please let us help you.  More than ever Zimbabwe needs your support.

With our deepest and fondest thoughts.

Zimsculpt.com 

http://www.rbg.ca/

Exhibition runs from September 1 to October 8

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily 

Hendrie Park Gardens

5000 visitors in our opening weekend launched our latest works from Zimbabwe's best talent.

Over 100 sculptures are displayed throughout Hendrie Park Gardens creating an exciting exhibit to visit — all of the sculptures displayed are for sale. Festivities include demonstrations and special weekend events.

Our incredible touring exhibition has attracted thousands of visitors this Summer.  Starting off our world-wide tour in Bahrain, moving to the UK at the RHS Chelsea flower show and then to Wimbledon, both in London.  Our final leg of our worldwide tour rests in Canada.

Importantly, we have three invited sculptors from Zimbabwe who will be available for workshops, art forums and interviews.  The artists on tour are Lincon Muteta, Passmore Mupindiko and Vimbai Mashaya.

Member: FREE (Please show your membership card)
Adult: $8
Senior: $6
Student/youth* (13 to 18 years): $6
Child (five to 12 years): $4
Children under five: FREE
Family: $20

Video footage of the exhibition can be seen at;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X9JAmGLXFw

Our last week at Cannizaro Park's Italian Garden and indeed the last year at Cannizaro Park.  We exhibit three years at each venue and move on to pastures new.  We will be back in the UK, just somewhere different, please sign up to our Newsletter to keep regular track of our tours.

Despite the horrendous weather visitors have still been braving it to come and view the wonderful collection on display this year and a BIG thank you to everyone that has made our days brighter, by just being there.

We finish on Sunday 8th July - so do make it down.

If you would like to speak to Vivienne the organiser, call 0774 8605011 or call Lincon on 0772 6291412.

We look forward to seeing you!

Typically the weather has been pretty bad during Chelsea for the past 3 years, but this year the weather was great during the show.  However setting up and breaking down after was not so fun - in rain and wind.  But after all our hard work putting our Zimbabwean garden together it was well worth the effort.  We won a Commendation for our stand, which is the highest accolade in our category. 

Her Majesty The Queen and entourage walked past our stand.  We mingled with celebrities and royalty on Press Day and enjoyed the usual atmosphere Chelsea Flower Show creates.

A big thank you to all of you who supported us, it's nice to see old faces and friends.  Without you we would not be where we are today.

 So thanks again and come see us at Wimbledon Cannizaro Park now!

Best wishes

Vivienne

Dear Friends & Supporters

Well it's high time I filled you in with some of our latest news from Zimbabwe and our upcoming itinerary this year.

We've just returned from inaugurating a two-week exhibition in Bahrain, where we were part of the 'Spring Culture Week'.  It was our third year in Bahrain and as usual the exhibition was a great success - thank you to everyone who welcomed us all, including all the local and visiting artists involved in the International Sculpture Symposium.

Moving on to our next show Chelsea Flower Show, and our UK tour, where we will only be at Chelsea and Wimbledon. We are sad not to be at Loseley again this year, but after three consecutive years, it is time we went to pastures new. We are also pleased to announce our invitation to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Burlington, Ontario (Toronto) for our second year.

Our itinerary is as follows;

Albareh Art Gallery, Adliyah, Bahrain 20-25 March

Chelsea Flower Show, Stand No. RS7, London - 22-26 May www.rhs.org.uk

Cannizaro Park, Wimbledon, London - 9 June-8 July MON-FRI 11-7.30PM - SAT/SUN 9-7.30 Free Admission www.merton.gov.uk/arts

Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Toronto, Canada 1 September - 9 October Daily 10am to dusk www.rbg.ca

Artists on tour with us this year are Lincon Muteta (of course!), Passmore Mupindiko (for the 2nd year) and for the first time leaving Zimbabwe, Vimbai Mashaya.

So, without rambling on too much, we hope to see you very soon at one of our shows where you will receive a very warm welcome.

With our very best wishes (still from Zimbabwe!)

Vivienne

Vivienne Prince
Founder Zimsculpt.com

Dear Friends

Gosh, it's now December... eek.  Time flies.

We've all been back in sunny Zimbabwe now for a month and it's really good to be back!

We've been catching up with all the artists and telling them who brought their pieces and where they've ended up round the world.  Please send us your pictures of the sculpture in situ and if you're not shy, you next to it!  We can't travel with all the artists every year, so they find pictures really interesting - to know where their sculpture is and with whom.  Address provided on request.

We've started buying again and have a really exciting itinerary lined up for next year, details of which are still being finalised.  Watch this space!

On a different note, we have started supporting artists with HIV/AIDS and would like to know if anyone is interested in sponsoring their medication?  We have found a small personal website which will give you feedback on the artist/patient, for no less than $30 a month.  Please, if you are interested, let us know and we'll give you more details.  You'll not only help the artist keep alive of course, but also their family and beloved artwork!

Christmas time is nearly upon us, so please take time to look at our website.  With no broadband here in Zim, we find it really difficult to load up all our latest pictures, so please keep checking!

With my very best regards to you all...
Vivienne

 Dear Friends

A big thank you to everyone that has joined our mailing list in Canada and who visited us at the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Burlington (Toronto) Ontario.

The show at the RBG was a great success, with over 6000 admirers visiting us during September alone. We gave talks to local schools and tourist boards, giving demonstrations and insights into the wonders Zimbabwe offers.

We had visitors from the U.S., all over Canada and Europe. A suprise visit was made by the famous conservationist/primatologist Jane Goodall, who we had the pleasure of meeting. Please view our 'links' page for web details on The Jane Goodall Institute.

Supported by the Afro Canadian Carribean Association, we had great support from the local Afro-Carribean community, who we'd like to thank. Amongst other help, they supplied us with some fine entertainment every weekend. One of which was the great Zimbabwean dancing group 'Kholisa', meaning 'Joy' in Ndebele.

So, with sadness, it is the end of another year of our world-wide tour. We thank you for being patrons, supporters and friends and look forward to seeing your friendly faces again next year.

With very best wishes
Vivienne

Vivienne Prince
Proprietor
www.zimsculpt.com 

CURRENT EXHIBITION:  ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, ONTARIO, CANADA

Preview Thursday 31st August from 3.30-6pm with Zimbabwean music, dance and authentic cuisine.

Exhibition runs from September 1 to 30; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Hendrie Park Gardens / RBG Centre.

Our incredible touring exhibition has attracted thousands of visitors this Summer.  Starting off our world-wide tour in Dubai's World Trade Centre, moving to the UK at the RHS Chelsea flower show, to Wimbledon and then Guildford.  Our final leg of our worldwide tour rests in Canada.

Importantly, we have three invited sculptors from Zimbabwe who have been available for workshops, art forums and interviews.

We hope you can join us to view over 100 sculptures on display within the RBG's Hendrie Park Gardens and RBG Centre creating an exciting exhibit to visit — all of the sculptures displayed are for sale.

Festivities include daily demonstrations by the artists plus a taste of African culture every weekend.

For further information visit:  http://www.rbg.ca/pages/ZimSculpt.html   OR   http://www.rbg.ca/newsletter/ZimSculptstory.html

Admission:
Member: FREE (Please show your membership card)
Adult: $8
Senior: $6
Student/youth* (13 to 18 years): $6
Child (five to 12 years): $3
Children under five: FREE
Family: $20

GUILDFORD, SURREY

15th July - 13th August 2006

Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 5pm

Our third and final year within Loseley's glorious Walled Garden.  Don't miss the opportunity to view over 100 sculptures embedded within the stunning flower gardens.

For more information about the Walled Garden visit http://www.loseley-park.com/walledgarden.asp

To find us on the map visit http://www.loseley-park.com/howtofindus.asp

All other information including opening times and entrance fees can be found on their website http://www.loseley-park.com

If you require any further information call Vivienne on 0774 8605011...

Cannizaro Park was launched by the Mayor Of Merton on Friday 9th June and we had a good group of supporters who turned up for the Preview.  So thank you to all of you.

Friends Of Cannizaro Park have also been of great help to us in advertising and generally getting the word out about us.  You can visit their website at http://www.cannizaropark.org.uk

We are at Cannizaro until the 2nd July.  Admission is free and opening times are Mon-Fr 11-7.30pm and Sat/Sun 9-7.30pm.

Schools are welcome.

Kind regards

Vivienne
Founder of Zimsculpt.com

 Chelsea Flower Show 2006 was a great success for us...

We were awarded a Certificate Of Merit by the RHS for the oustanding presentation of our stand. Pictures of the stand and ourselves with the award can be seen below.

The theme of our garden was 'Journey From The Depths Of Zimbabwe' - the amazing journey sculpture goes through, to get to where it is today...

Half a Zimbabwean garden and half an English garden. The Zimbabwean garden; thatched Rondaval, red soil, maize and sunflowers and the English garden; old shed, green grass and country garden flowers. The sight was delightful and visitors swarmed the stand.

Brian Watyoka was our artist in residence for the week, starting to sculpt a 3 metre high raw piece of stone within the Zimbabwean garden. On the last day he had completed enough so visitors could tell that it was a female form. Watch this space to see the finished sculpture!

The stand took us one week to erect and two days to pull down!

Sunflowers from the garden call still be purchased and are made from metal.

Next stop is our Wimbledon exhibition at the Italian Garden of Cannizaro Park... starting on 10th June. Hope to see you there...

Vivienne Prince

Founder
ZIMSCULPT.COM

Zimbabwe side, from left:  Brian Watyoka (sculpting), Vivienne Prince (Zimsculpt.com founder),
Lincon Muteta and Passmore Mupandiko

Sculptor Lincon Muteta with Certificate from Chelsea

English Garden

Zimbabwe Garden

Dear Friends and Supporters...

We hope you are all having a lovely Christmas and New Year.

We wanted to write briefly and shed some festive cheer, to let you know what we've been doing with either the money and/or the clothes and toys that we received as donations - during our tour of London this Summer.

Visiting the length and breadth of the country in the past two weeks with 18 boxes of donated goodies has been excellent fun and extremely rewarding.

We wanted to share the pictures of joy with you... everyone was told to hold up their donations!!

As I've taken most of them, I'm not in them - but believe me I was there!  Only one when we visited an orphanage with a box of toys more suitable for groups of children (I'm standing far left if you don't remember me!).

So an extremley BIG thank you to all of you from the families and children in Zimbabwe, you really made a happy Christmas.

Monies collected in our donation box went towards shipping everything out here.  I would also like to sincerely thank Elite Forwarders (UK) who made it possible for all of the goodies to arrive before Christmas time and the charity organisation we support here in Zimbabwe, IPA (more info on our Charity page) - who helped us with all the paperwork... ;-)

With love and good wishes this Christmas and for the New Year...

Vivienne
Founder

Zimsculpt.com

Mariele's Childrens Home (myself far left)

An artist family in Mupindo (rural area) 

Artist's children in Mupindo (rural area) 

Artist Potipher Andreas (rear left) and family of 5 boys and 1 girl (outside their home in the rural area near Shamva) 

Community in Mupindo (rural area)

Arists wife and expectant mother with her child in Mupindo (rural area)

Children with their toys in Mupindo (rural area)

LOSELEY PARK, Guildford, Surrey

Exhibition in the Walled Garden

AUGUST 27 –SEPTEMBER 25

Tues – Sun 11am – 5pm

www.loseley-park.com

The Walled Garden is open May to September, Tuesday to Sunday, 11.00 am to 5.00 pm, also Bank Holiday Mondays in May and August.  Adult £4, child £2, concession £3.50.

Loseley House is open for guided tours May to August, Tuesday to Thursday plus Sunday, 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm, also Bank Holiday Mondays in May and August.  Adult £7, child £3.50, concession £6.50.

Gift Shop and Courtyard Tea Room open same times as Walled Garden.  Chestnut Lodge Restaurant open 12 noon to 2.30 pm May to August, Tuesday to Sunday, plus weekends in September.

This will be our 2nd year at Loseley Park with over 100 sculptures on display within the Elizabethan gardens and home of the More-Molyneux family.  Sculptures are situated within their beautiful walled gardens, placed within the flower-beds and water features.  Last year was a great success, so we hope to see many more visitors this year.

This years invited artists are Sam Mabeu, Lincon Muteta and Dudzai Mushawepwere, who will be demonstrating and running workshops under the huge Cedar tree.

Here are some pictures of last years exhibition;

We hope to see you there again next year - join our mailing list to find out more information of upcoming exhibitions.

Artists on tour this year are Sam Mabeu and Dudzai Mushawepwere

LOSELEY PARK, Guildford, Surrey

AUGUST 27 –SEPTEMBER 25

Tues – Sun 11am – 5pm
www.loseley-park.com

(including artist demonstrations)

 INGATESTONE HALL, Ingatestone, Essex

JULY 16 - AUGUST 14

We would like to see as many visitors as possible in this our final year and welcome back our old faithful's who visit us year in year out.

The show has, as always, over 100 sculptures on display, each one completely different from last year's selection.

If you have visited us at the exhibition already, you can come back as many times as you like, not having to repay the entry fee every time, just keep hold of the green ticket they issue you with.

More than ever we really look forward to seeing you....

Adults £4.00; Senior Citizens & Students £3.50; Children (5-16) £2.00; Under 5s Free.
For parties of 20 or more, the above prices are reduced by 50p per head.

Do you wonder if art ‘is for you’ ? Or do you wish that you could give something positive from your heart to Zimbabwe? Or are you a connoisseur and collector of very fine art ? Then go and visit the touring exhibition of sculpture from Zimbabwe, which has had less publicity and visits — unsurprisingly — in Wimbledon Fortnight, when it was at Canizzaro Park in Wimbledon; but which is subsequently on a tour of Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Ingatestone Hall, and Loseley Park, this summer. And since African art is family-oriented — take the family, and especially your children !

When as an art journalist many years ago, I first saw stone sculpture from Zimbabwe, I simply could not believe that its quality was not a brilliant ‘lift’ from the work of Brancusi, Modigliani, Picasso and others. Then I investigated further and found that after 500 years of lost tradition, carving the stone of Zimbabwe — a country with a wider variety of hard stone of several colours than anywhere else — had begun again, and was already of world class. And now today a younger generation has taken up this demanding, patient art of carving hard stone (with hand tools . . . ) and brought new imagination to this. From a magnificently proud — and superbly carved — ‘Beauty Queen’ to caring mothers and their sleepy, secure babies, to the spirits that look over Africa, its people, its animals, its trees and birds and vegetation, this is world-class sculpture — but even more than that, it is art from the heart that touches the heart. And the finely prepared book that accompanies the exhibition is an enchanting glimpse into the hard work and humanity that lies behind the creation of this work.

I have praised Zimbabwean stone sculpture in the media for many years now, and known it to touch many hearts. I am very happy that I need not take back a single word of that praise. And even happier, that this sculpture has been taken up by the younger generation and has flowered beyond all expectation. Go and give it your support. It is phenomenal — a glimpse of what Africa has to offer the world in this century, which seems to have started so terribly.

CANNIZARO PARK, Wimbledon, London

JUNE 8-29

Mon-Fri 11am – 7.30pm / Sat-Sun 9am-7.30pm 

www.merton.gov.uk/arts

LAUNCHED by Councillor Judy Saunders, Mayor of Merton

With over 100 sculptures on display, I'm sure you will be intrigued and enlightened with the depth of the work on display...

Chelsea Flower Show was a first for us this year and what a response we had!

Apart from the 'London Plane's trees which emitted terrible pollen for us all to endure, sniffling and coughing all over our potential customers (not good!) we managed to sell-out.

The itinerary was gruelling, with a 14 hour day, we had to remain cheerful and happy to all our customers... which I think we managed to do, with 3 hour 'nap' breaks en rota!

Thank you to all those who purchased  - we very much look forward to seeing you next year and more than ever, really appreciate your support.

Please see our 'Itinerary 2005' news item for our full UK schedule this year.

Regards

Vivienne
Proprietor - www.zimsculpt.com

(picture from left to right:  Sam Mabeu, Dudzai Mushawepwere and Lincon Muteta)

DUBAI World Trade Centre

MAY 15-17

www.gardeningexpo.com

Our first exhibition of our world tour in Dubai was an enormous success.  We had many proposals to exhibit all over the UAE and we're happy to announce our collaboration with The Art Source in Dubai.  Should you wish to purchase pieces in the UAE, their contact details are:  artsourc@emirates.net.ae Tel: (Dubai) +971 4 2856972.

 

The Sheikh opened our exhibition, which you can see pictured with Vivienne Prince, founder of Zimsculpt attached herewith.

 

 The Zimsculpt team were completely astounded by Dubai's beauty and architecture and would like to thank all those that welcomed us whole-heartedly...

 

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/read.php?path=./news/2005/January/Sunday9/&st_id=1429

The official launch of the Zimsculpt book 'Journey From The Depths Of Zimbabwe' was opened by the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Rod Pullen at the Richard Rennie Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe on 10th December 2004.

Artists featured in the book were also present for interviews and discussion.

'Journey From The Depths Of Zimbabwe' is a unique and refreshing view of the journey a stone sculpture goes through, from birth at the mines, artistic creation, transportation to an exhibition and finally to the buyers home.

A beautifully designed gift or coffee table book, frankly written by Carol Williams (author of Love and Life, UNDP) and powerfully photographed by Athol Rheeder, our resident photographer from the UK.

The book is not a guide to Zimbabwe, a collection of biographies or an academic review.  Those books have already been written.  Zimsculpt asks you to look differently at the stone sculpture.

"Do not be schooled.  Be passionate."

It's a strange title to have on a e-commerce sculpture site isn't it?

I don't think Africa or our country, Zimbabwe can escape from the mortality the HIV/AIDS pandemic is having on most people on a day to day basis.

No one is spared.  It also effects many of the artists we work with in many different ways, whether caring for relations (many of those children), friends or neighbours and if 'unlucky' maybe one day themselves.

Its a shocking and extremely saddening situation for the average Zimbabwean today.  Most young people are terrified to get into relationships.

The situation cannot be swept under the carpet and NOT discussed out loud.

Many artists tend to depict their fears and experiences through their works and I often find a mixed response when exhibiting these sculptures titled 'AIDS VIRUS' or 'MY HIV FRIEND'.  Some people find them completely offensive and often show emotional disgust.  One little girl, once asked me if she would catch AIDS if she touched the sculpture, her grandfather soon corrected her. Although she was little, children often speak out what adults often think!

I hope you're still reading... many artists have passed away through this illness, with them goes their skills and their renowned artistic style, not to mention of course that they were our dear friends and they are sadly missed by everyone.

I don't want to list all the artists that have died through this illness as it wouldn't be respectful.  Therefore please just take a second to comprehend the above and look at these amazing sculptures in a new light...

After several months of designing, our new site went live today. It's a vast improvement over the old site. We hope you like it!

Please let us know what you think.

Our second year exhibiting at Ingatestone Hall with over 100 sculptures on display within the 16^th century gardens and home of Lord & Lady Petre.  Sculptures were situated all over their beautiful gardens and round their ancient fishing ponds.

Sculptors Sam Mabeu, Jonathan Mhondorohuma and Lincon Muteta were orchestrating a workshop where people could see the artists working as they would be back in Zimbabwe and grasp the amount of work it takes to sculpt each piece by hand.

For more information about Ingatestone Hall, you can visit the website;

http://www.aboutbritain.com/IngatestoneHall.htm

Our second year at Hampton Court, prooved successful as ever, with Martin Cloones, the actor from 'Men Behaving Badly' making a guest appearance and purchasing one of our sculptures.

The enchanting Hampton Court Palace and surrounding parkland provide an idyllic setting for the world’s largest horticultural show run by the Royal Horticultural Society. This spectacular gardening event features an exciting range of flowers, plants, gardening accessories and gifts, giving you the opportunity to browse, buy and discover superb landscaped show and water gardens bursting with inspirational ideas for your garden.

With displays from over 150 specialist nurseries from around the country and one of the greatest annual gatherings of roses in full bloom in the world, this flower show guarantees a glorious summer’s day out for everyone.

More information about Hampton Court Flower Show and the RHS can be found at;

http://www.rhs.org.uk/events/hamptoncourt2005.asp

This was our 2nd successful year of exhibiting with Al Darbareh Gallery, with thanks and gratitude to the Managing Director Hayfa Aljishi.

This year our exhibition was opened by Shaikha Hala bint Daij Al Khalifa, wife of Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin hamad Al Khalifa.

It was a pleasure to meet the Shaikha and introduce her to the outstanding abilities of today's most prominent Zimbabwean sculptors.

Sculptor Lincon Muteta was invited especially from Zimbabwe and spoke at length with the Shaikha and media about his works represented at the exhibition.

The exhibition ran from 14th April until 29th April 2004.

For further information and to view works please contact:  +973 17 717 707

Or visit the following website for a 'review';  http://mahmood.tv/index.php/articles/466

For video footage of this exhibition visit;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Mm4F-62Zs