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A semi-abstract sculpture made in honour of the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
VISUAL artist Kudakwashe Madamombe, son to the late internationally renowned sculptor Colleen Madamombe, has carved a semi-abstract sculpture of a woman in honour of First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe.
The 1,3 metre-tall sculpture was carved on opal stone and is an image of a woman with a handbag in her hand. Kudakwashe (29) said he decided to carve the piece as a tribute to Amai Grace Mugabe and her charity work.

“To us, Mai Mugabe is a mother and it is important for us to thank her for the great work she is doing to take care of orphans in the country.
“When we see Amai Mugabe we see an epitome of a true Zimbabwean and African woman who is courageous and inspirational especially when considering the great works she is doing in the country,” explained Kudakwashe.

He said the inspiration to honour outstanding women in the society came from her late mother Colleen who stood up for the woman’s rights.
“My mother Colleen was committed to women’s rights and the role they play in society. This is the vision that we are taking over and we feel very inspired by the contribution that Amai Mugabe  is making in Zimbabwe and to the African continent.

“We have learnt that women too can be successful in all spheres of life,” Kudakwashe said.
The sculpture, that weighs about 1 000 kilogrammes.

“Through this sculpture we want generations to come to always remember the great woman who has contributed enormously to this country’s history,” he said.
Kudakwashe’s professional sculpting career began in 2002 when he finished his high school at Kutama College in Zvimba.

Before that, his passion for art had started at an early age during his days at Widdecombe Primary School in Harare, where he would take time away from books to visit his sculpting parents Colleen and father Fabion.

It was then that he started dabbling in art.
His two sisters – Alice (19) and Tsitsi (17) – are fashion designers, a clear indication that art runs in the family.

“It is our aim through our work to keep women’s vision alive,” said Kudakwashe, whose pieces focus mainly on women.
Some of these works include “Woman on Shopping Spree (My Life)”, “Breastfeeding” and “Family Reunion” among others.