Bernard Takawira
Encyclopedia
Bernard Takawira was a Zimbabwe
an sculptor, the younger brother of John Takawira
.
Takawira was born in the mountainous Nyanga
district, third of six children. Their father was often absent for work, and their mother, Mai, assumed a dominant role. She was well known for her knowledge of Shona
myths and stories, and would share them with her sons; these tales had a deep influence in both John and Bernard's careers as sculptors.
Bernard trained as an agricultural
advisor to the government after leaving school, but was encouraged by John to try carving stone. John introduced him to Frank McEwen
, who was running a workshop
in Vukutu at the time. Takawira soon began spending all of his free time at the workshop, where he learned much; in 1977 he left his governmental position to begin sculpting full-time.
Stylistically, Takawira's sculptures show evidence of a great interior struggle between Christianity
and Shona culture, a battle which affected the artist for much of his life. Many of his works take as their subject abstract themes such as patience, humility, and integrity.
Takawira died in 1997.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an sculptor, the younger brother of John Takawira
John Takawira
John Takawira was a Zimbabwean sculptor. The background to the sculptural movement of which he was a leading member is given in the article on Shona art.-Early life and education:...
.
Takawira was born in the mountainous Nyanga
Nyanga
Nyanga may mean:*Nyanga Province, of Gabon*Nyanga, Gabon, a place in the province of Nyanga in Gabon*Nyanga River, in Gabon and Congo*Nyanga, Zimbabwe, a town*Nyanga National Park in Zimbabwe*Nyanga, Cape Town, a township in South Africa...
district, third of six children. Their father was often absent for work, and their mother, Mai, assumed a dominant role. She was well known for her knowledge of Shona
Shona people
Shona is the name collectively given to two groups of people in the east and southwest of Zimbabwe, north eastern Botswana and southern Mozambique.-Shona Regional Classification:...
myths and stories, and would share them with her sons; these tales had a deep influence in both John and Bernard's careers as sculptors.
Bernard trained as an agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
advisor to the government after leaving school, but was encouraged by John to try carving stone. John introduced him to Frank McEwen
Frank McEwen
Francis Jack "Frank" McEwen, OBE was an English artist, teacher, and museum administrator. He is best remembered today for his efforts to bring attention to the work of Shona artists in Rhodesia, and for helping to found the National Gallery of Zimbabwe...
, who was running a workshop
Workshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
in Vukutu at the time. Takawira soon began spending all of his free time at the workshop, where he learned much; in 1977 he left his governmental position to begin sculpting full-time.
Stylistically, Takawira's sculptures show evidence of a great interior struggle between Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and Shona culture, a battle which affected the artist for much of his life. Many of his works take as their subject abstract themes such as patience, humility, and integrity.
Takawira died in 1997.