STORY: Zimbabwean sculptors working to keep stone carving flourishing
SHOOTING TIME: May 21, 2024
DATELINE: May 28, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:34
LOCATION: Harare
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of stone sculptors and stone sculptures
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WASHINGTON MUSONZA, Stone sculptor
3. various of stone sculptors and stone sculptures
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): WASHINGTON MUSONZA, Stone sculptor
5. various of stone sculptors and stone sculptures
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BERNARD MUTONHODZA, Stone sculptor
7. various of stone sculptors and stone sculptures
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Shona): ABRAHAM KARURU, Stone sculptor
9. various of stone sculptors and stone sculptures

STORYLINE:

Washington Musonza, a stone sculptor, has carved out a name in Zimbabwe's renowned stone sculpture tradition.

The 58-year-old artist's dynamic work ranges from abstract to figurative pieces, drawing inspiration from everyday experiences.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WASHINGTON MUSONZA, Stone sculptor
"Art is a silent language. You express yourself through art, because with art, it can communicate with anyone."

Throughout his career as an artist, Musonza has received several accolades and has exhibited in many international art symposiums.

He hopes to spread Zimbabwean stone art globally so that more people can appreciate the country's traditions.

Over the years, Musonza and other artists, including 51-year-old Bernard Mutonhodza, have been working to keep the Zimbabwean tradition of stone carving flourishing.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): WASHINGTON MUSONZA, Stone sculptor
"Since I have inherited this culture from my forefather, it must not stop on me. I must send it to some other people so that they can also pass it on to some other generations."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BERNARD MUTONHODZA, Stone sculptor
"My role in art is to make our culture continue, as well as to make the new generations inherit this knowledge, so that our culture will continue existing."

Mutonhodza is also imparting his knowledge to 27-year-old Abraham Karuru.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Shona): ABRAHAM KARURU, Stone sculptor
"My ambition is to advance this stone sculpture tradition so that people can get to know this craft, be recognized internationally, and participate in various exhibitions."

Zimbabwe's stone carving tradition draws inspiration from the country's cultural heritage and traces back to Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city known for its imposing stone works, from which the country derives its name.

While modern sculptors use electrified tools like grinders, much of the work is done in the southern African country with simple tools such as hammers and chisels.

The sculptures, mostly made from serpentine stone, depict everyday life scenarios and mystical figures.

These stone sculptures have become globally acclaimed and are highly sought after by collectors.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Harare.
(XHTV)