Missouri Botanical Garden - Chapungu Nature, Man, And Myth

Voice: Gedeon Nyanhongo, Chapungu Artist I am Gedeon Nyanhongo. I come from a family of well-known Zimbabwean sculptors, including my sister Agnes and my father Claude. When I first started sculpting, I went with one of Zimbabwe's most critically acclaimed artists, Joseph Ndandarika, for three years. His guidance and influence gave me the confidence to follow my own path as an artist. In 1994, I was chosen to participate in the Chapungu artist resident program for a year. My work portrays the ever changing aspects of my culture. My work must mark the stages of my life. It also records the important stages of life around me. I use the hardest, most durable stones so that people will be able to understand these things in the years to come. My art is inspired by human relationships, especially those among families. My subjects are full of spirit. My sculptures speak tenderly of parenthood, protection, innocence and human love. They also represent traditional Shona themes of spiritual guidance and direction, as