Just like Christmas!

Today was the great unwrapping day! 

Half a dozen of us spent several hours opening all the parcels, finding out exactly what we had, photographing and cataloguing it and then putting it safely away again until we are ready to display it.

Most of the sculptures were padded with masses of shredded paper and then well wrapped up in heavy black plastic.  A few were just packaged in layers of newspaper.  Either way, unwrapping produced a huge amount of waste paper which we bagged up for recycling.

Once all the wraps were off, what we had was an amazing range of art, from tiny carved birds up to three-foot high statues which two of us struggled to carry. 

Animals, fish and human figures of every kind, some realistic, others stylised. 

And all of them unique and beautiful.  As each in turn passed through our makeshift photographic studio (thanks Robyn!) we were struck once again by the talent of the artists back in Zimbabwe who have sent us their work.  

Better than Christmas! 

Here's some more of what we will be exhibiting in March

Due to a communications problem I have only recently received a list showing many of the sculptures which were in our consignment.  Pending the major unwrapping day (which we will be holding at the end of December) this is the best guide to what we will be putting on show in March.

I've selected a few photos that show the amazing range of the sculptures.  





This is
"Dancing Sisters" by Colleen Madamombe.

"Resting Stock" by Loveman James

(a stock being a local bird, not a speeling eror!).

 

"Tonga Queen" by Lloyd Chikede

"Lonely" by Shingi Masedza

And a very characterful hippo by Godfrey William

That's still only a tiny fraction of what we will be showing, but you'll have to come to the exhibition if you want to see more!  March 12th to 21st 2010, in Marlow UK.  I love the way these artists range from naturalistic work through much more stylised creations to near abstracts.  The same artist may work in various different styles too, as well as using different stones each with its own characteristics. 

To finish this post, here's


"Spirit Owl" by Fortune Masiyiwa: