Head of the Guru

Joseph Muzondo

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Dimensions:: 30" x 14" x 12"
Weight:: 170 lbs
Materials Used:: Springstone

Artist Info: Optional

Joseph Muzondo

Born in 1953 in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, he was taught to carve stone as a youth by his uncle and following independence struggle, was the first student to join the reformed B.A.T Workshop.  By the early nineteen-eighties his studies in Zimbabwe and abroad in Great Britain and Austria led to experiments in other media, most notably printmaking, but also textile design and painting. During 1983 he studied and taught in Tanzania and attended the International Summer Academy in Austria, returning to Zimbabwe to win a number of important awards for stone sculpture in 1983, 1984 and 1986, and graphics in 1988.  Sculpture in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996 and graphics in 1998.  From 1982, turning his back on the established forms of stone sculpture common in the country, he developed a unique and very personal style, often combining separately carved stone pieces and other elements into a single work by positioning or using fixing metal pins.

At the same time, Muzondo continued to work in three dimensions, and his sculptural works were enriched by his experiences with two-dimensional forms. While his sculptures retain their monumental presences as solid volumes their surfaces are enhanced by Muzondo's explorations of light and shade and color within his material. Preferring to exploit the rich colors and textures of his material, Muzondo eschews highly polished surfaces and instead works deep into the material to reveal its inner nature.  “The deeper you go, the darker it becomes," he observes.

The introduction of these works strongly influenced many of the leading established stone sculptors in the country.  Not confined solely to sculpting stone, as a two dimensional artist, he enjoys both printing and painting and is skilled in textile design.  His works have been included in a number of European and African publications and his piece ‘War Victim’ (1982) was used on a commemorative stamp in 1988.

Devoid of the popular imagery associated with “Shona Sculpture”, his work derives from the process of “direct carving”.  With this artist, the incidental shapes of nature and the conceived imagery are resolved in a fusion of geometric and biomorphic simplifications.

His subject matter is eclectic, drawn from rural, urban and internal experiences.  The theme of reconciliation be it political, ideological, or matrimonial is also explored for its universal appeal.  Angular profiles, organic forms, texture and a graphic surface detail gives his work a distinct signatory style.  As an artist who takes pride in original ideas and an individualistic approach, he says:  “My work is not Shona or European Art -- it is Muzondo Sculpture.”

Overseas Exhibitions

1982:	African Centre, London, United Kingdom
1983:	International Summer Academy, Salzburg, Austria
1988:	Dronning Lund Art Exhibition Centre/DAPP African Exhibition, Denmark
1989:	Art Images in Southern Africa, Kulturhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
1990:	Art from the Frontline, Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, Salfold City Art Gallery ,U.K and the 
city center, Dublin, Eire
1990:	Contemporary Stone carving from Zimbabwe, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, U.K
1991:	British Defence and aid fund for the Southern Africa Exhibition, London, U.K
1991:	Artists against Apartheid Exhibition, London, U.K
1992:	Expo’92,Serville,Spain 
1992:	Happy Christmas Africa, Savannah Gallery, London, U.K
1993:	Shave Artists’ workshop open studios, (Shave Farm) Somerset, London, U.K
1993:	Cotemporary Print Makers Exhibition, Conventry Gallery, U.K
1994:	Zimbabwe Stone Sculpture:  The Second Generation (a touring exhibition)U.K
1994:	Modern African Art-the stone sculpture of Zimbabwe, Palmergarten, Frankfurt,  Germany
1994:	The second generation, Millfield School, England
1995:	Modern African Art, the stone sculpture of Zimbabwe, Westfolen Park, Dortmund, Germany
1995:	The second generation, Galarie Im Scholssgarlen, Gauangelloh, Germany
1995:	National Gallery of Zimbabwe, annual exhibition contemporary visual arts of Zimbabwe
1996:	Modern African art, the stone sculpture of Zimbabwe, Botanische Garten, Berlin
1997:	Zimbabwe stone sculpture, National Botanical Institute, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa  
1997:	Sculpture from Zimbabwe, Melbourne, Australia
1997:	Contemporary Sculpture from Zimbabwe, Fort Canning Park, Singapore
1997:	Boston Fine Arts Fair, Boston, MA  U.S.A.
1998:	Coming of Age - Zeitgenossische kunst aus Zimbabwe Never Kunstverien Aschaffenburg, Deutsland, Germany
1998:	Chapungu Sculpture  from Zimbabwe Botanischer Garten Der Univesitat, Hamburg, Deutschland, Germany
2000:	Chapungu custom and legend, a culture in stone, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, U.K
2001:	Chapungu custom and legend, a culture in stone ,Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri,U.S.A
2002:	Chapungu”a culture in stone” at Red Butte garden at the University of Utah, Salt Lake,U.S.A
2003:	Chapungu culture in stone, the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Garfield Conservatory Chicago,U.S.A
2003:	Zeitgenoossische Stein Skulpturen aus Zimbabwe ‘Hope Exhibition’ 20 June-31 August, Diez, Germany
2004:	Two Man Show, Muzondo and Gutsa, The Reece Galleries, New York City, U.S.A

Other group shows:

Austria, Bulgaria, France, Frankfurt, Canada, Germany, Mozambique, South Africa, U.S.A and Zambia.  Also in private collections in Australia, Italy, Nigeria, Holland, Finland, Japan, U.SA. Canada, Germany, and Brazil.  His works have been purchased for both the Permanent Collection and the Overseas Permanent Collection of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.  One man exhibition at Sandro’s Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe(1994) and participation in the 1995 Africus Johannesburg Biennale Exhibition, South Africa, Group Exhibition, Arcadia Centre Art Gallery, South Africa{1995}and a group exhibition, Pretoria Art Museum, South Africa{1995}.  Multiple one man exhibitions at the Reece Galleries in New York City (2003, 226, 2008).

Group shows:
-‘Andeisten’ sculpture from Zimbabwe 1995-Gosta Werner musset simrishamn, Sweden
-Singapore contemporary sculpture from Zimbabwe
-Fort Canning Park, Singapore 1997
-Group exhibition Reece Gallery, New York,1997
-Earth element for art sculptures, paintings, Totem Gallery (Mutupo) Zimbabwe 1997
-Modern African Art, stone sculptures of Zimbabwe Botanische Garten, Berlin 1996
-Modern African Art, stone sculptures of Zimbabwe, Messepark, Munchen, Germany, 1997
-Gallery im scholobgarten Guauangelloch/Leimen, 1997
-Group Exhibition Austria
-Custom and legend a culture in stone Royal Botanic Garden Kew, London 2000.

Awards for stone sculptures unless indicated otherwise:

-Sculpture Award, Nedlaw Annual Exhibition, for ‘The Refugee’ Harare 1993
-2nd Prize Sculpture, Nedlaw Annual Exhibition for ‘Pains of oppression’ Harare 1986
-Award of Merit, Nedlaw Annual Exhibition for ‘Nuclear Bomb Catastrophe’ Harare 1986
-Award of Merit, Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition for ‘Man and Wives’ (graphics) Harare, 1988
-Highly Commended Certificate, Zimbabwe Heritage 1994 (sculpture) for ‘Looking Beyond the Year 2000’
Harare, 1994
-The Best Sculptor of the Year, A.M.E. Award, Harare,1994
-Award of Merit, Zimbabwe Heritage 1995 Exhibition (Art, Media and Entertainment) for ‘Waiting 
Patiently’
-The Beelden of de Berg award of distinction (Beelden of de Berg Foundation Wagerningen, The \
Netherlands) Zimbabwe Heritage 1996
-The Anglo American Overall Award of Distinction for Sculpture Zimbabwe Heritage,1996

\Workshops:
-Pachipamwe III International Artists’ Workshop (14 days) Marondera, Zimbabwe, 1990
-Pachipamwe IV International Artistis’ Workshop (14 days) Marondera, Zimbabwe, 1991 -Printmaking - 
Workshop (14 days) Bruce Onobrakpeya, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, 1992
-Printmaking Workshop (4 weeks) Arts Foundation, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1992
-Woodcut Workshop (14days)British Council, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare, 1992
-Shave Artists’workshop open studios (2 weeks) Shave Farm, Somerset, U.K
-Red Bronze workshop (1 week) ceramic shell casting, Shave Farm, 1993
-International  Professional Sculptors Workshop III, Arts Faculty, Pretoria Technikon, 
South Africa (12 days) 1995
-Chapungu Sculpture Park International Sculptors’ Workshop (30 days) Harare, Zimbabwe

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Description

In ‘Head of the Guru’ Muzondo recognizes the philosophical power of the guru. This power represents an implicit threat to certain political regimes. Intellectuals, musicians, reporters, and artists of all kinds are challenged by the sanctioning of the messages they deliver through their work to the citizens of their country. The smooth polished surface of this piece combined with the half open eye give the viewer the impression of an elite subject, forced to flee this home country for fear of repercussion.

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