Gedion Nyanhongo
Gedion Nyanhongo was born in 1967 on the 22nd of December in Mazarura Village, Nyanga. He was qualified Motor Mechanic before he took on art full time. As a boy Gideon would spend time trying to assist his father Mr. Claude Nyanhongo in his workshop; this was despite of the fact that picking up a hammer was extremely difficult for the young Gedion. Instead of working towards finishing his own small pieces Gedion wanted to work with Claude’s tools and to finish his father’s pieces.
Gedion excelled in art and craft at primary school, the lessons he received in the mornings from Claude assisted him in this. Of his father’s work, Gedion enjoyed observing the wood and stone sculptors although Claude was also a gifted blacksmith working on iron tools. At primary school Gedion’s confidence was nurtured by the displaying of his craft and the prizes he received.
Finding ‘Self” in Art - At high school Gedion was a young man internally divided. On the one hand he secretly aspired to be like his father, yet on the other hand, he wanted to break free from the familiar world of art. He determined after high school to become a motor mechanic and to leave the familiar territory that had initially nurtured his gift and keen appreciation of art. Because of the battle within, Gedion continued to make smaller pieces and return to the Eastern Highlands to assist his father.
From 1986 to early 1988 Gedion was in Harare daily doing his motor mechanics course, he began searching his inner self and determined to satisfy his soul. After qualifying on a motor mechanic Diploma he worked for three months before making his break through in the art world. Between 1988 and 1990, Claude directed his son to Mr. Joseph Ndandarika (1940 – 1991) an internationally academic sculptor and African icon.
In 1990 Mabwe Gallery invited Gedion as a resident artist. This introduction provided a good foundation. The art, Gedion was expressing at this stage in his life mirrored his experiences; including, the lives of families and local Zimbabweans in general. Gedion also found an expressive nexus between art and nature and his sculptors still borrow their form from the natural world.
At Mabwe Gallery, Gedion associated with artists who had a different approach to art themes and subjects. Consequently, he predominantly used figurative art. In this way, Gedion’s art served as a message and educational platform. He continued to etch into timelessness the art, culture and expressions of being Zimbabwean. In his earlier themes, the peculiar nuances of a energy brought by Independence is still evident for future generations to experience; these are like photographs with the thoughts and memories of the times oozing out with expressive force. What makes Gedion one of the most intriguing living sculptors is that his art touches and concerns many facets of life including the obvious and private.
Between 1988 and 1992 Gedion worked with Joseph whilst in association with Mabwe Gallery. Later in 1992 he became a resident and participating artist at Chapungu Gallery. This proved to be a milestone that improved his techniques working with raw stones and he endeavored to be the best. This is where Gedion became widely recognized internationally as one of the most outstanding sculptors. Even with this international acceptance Gedion did not have any exposure to Western art forms and finds any comparison between his artistic expressions and those of his Western contemporaries to be based on a weak understanding of his art in particular.
Gedion enjoys exploring the abstract, as an artistic impression, Gedion finds abstract art relaxing. He uses the natural colors of the stone and allows his mind to meld into the art. There is a living force imbedded in each stone and Gedion respects the medium enough to allow the colors to surface. Gedion leaves within the stone what he believes belongs to the stone.
Living from Inspiration - For Gedion the advantages of working in Zimbabwe include access to inspiration which is conducive for the creation of incredible masterpieces such as Mothers Day (1988), The Fish (1997) and Assured Security (2001) to name three of so many. In Zimbabwe Gedions passion is sharing ideas about his art and art form, he also draws from inspirational artists including Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Agnes Nyanhongo, Sylvester Mubayi and the late Gladman Zinyeka.
The Process of Intricate _Expression - As a creator Gedion sees the end at the beginning. When all else is lost he enters the stone as though he is asleep and suddenly awakens to the reality of the raw stone waiting to be carved. On other days Gedion observes from ordinary life what people are doing and he captures a topic to reproduce on stone.
The female form is never passive but responsive to culture and time, their voice is amplified by lines and exacting gestures. Even in his language Gedion expresses a respect on women based on his perception, that they are patient and enduring. The use of hands and feet in Gedion’s art are symbols of _expression and the desire for humans to communicate and to be understood. The feet also show a very individual expressiveness with the idea of motion and movement. Some exceptional pieces are detailed below.
Gift of life – This piece is carved from springstone, it is a piece of a mother holding her baby. The gratitude of receiving life is divided and hence multiplied; it is about the gift of having a baby and on the other hand the gift of receiving life on the part of the baby. Both mother and baby are gifted separately and they both complement one another. It is important for the mother to nurture the baby into the future and to provide mother-love. This in turn gives confidence to the baby who in turn should love the mother. When the baby experiences “motherly love” the mother is able to teach and leave behind “foot prints” for the baby. These footprints reflect outwards, to the world and shine inwards, to the baby. In this way mothers leave a legacy on the earth that is externally settled in the heart of their child. This heritage is both external and private.
The Blessed Family - This piece is inspired by the large family Gedion comes from. In this environment the artist was taught how to treat other family members and the significance of love was nurtured. As an artist he, imagines that if there is love and unity beginning with the home, then there can be peace in the world. This piece of art is a portrayal of the family in harmony. The subjects in this piece are holding hands to form a complete circle. Gedion believes that this brings about strong personalities and confidence – which can only come from a blessed family. The hands in this piece express love, not only between husband and wife but also between parent and child. The circular form also symbolizes a complete person. The result is fullness of joy and love. Gedion believes that family members should never forsake one another but as we endeavor to grow, we should each shine forth for the world.
The Hug- This piece is clearly an _expression of love and an exchange of feelings. It conveys the spirit of sharing, oneness and cleaners between the subjects. The artist conveys gracefully what he says is the “fulfillment of what you get from each others eyes”. The _expression is a greeting language and is used to express how close people are to one another. It is closely associated with the emotions of meeting someone beloved and dearly missed.
The pieces of art Gedion displays at international exhibitions are not breed fleeting genius. There is a clear and decisive introspectiveness at play. Gedion seeks to understand his art first and then secondly, attempts to express what is already active in his mind and soul. Also Gedion is an advisor of Mystery In Stone and helped to bring out the vision of Mystery In Stone.
1. This piece is written by Cleopatra Magwaro for Mystery In Stone and is based on an interview with the Artist.
