John Takawira
Encyclopedia
John Takawira was a Zimbabwe
an sculptor. The background to the sculptural movement of which he was a leading member is given in the article on Shona art
.
, the son of a policeman, but grew up in Nyanga
where he was educated at the Mount Mellersay Mission School. He was deeply influenced by his mother, Mai, who had an imposing personality and a talent for story-telling based on her knowledge of Shona myths. She was also a potter
. Bernard
and Lazarus, his younger brothers, became sculptors and John retained many elements of his traditional upbringing throughout his life.
At the age of twenty, Takawira was introduced to sculpture by his uncle, the sculptor Joram Mariga
. Almost immediately he was noticed by Frank McEwen
, the founding director of the new Rhodes National Gallery
who invited him to become among the first members of the Workshop School at what is now the National Gallery of Zimbabwe
; from 1963 his work was exhibited there. In 1969, McEwen's wife Mary (née McFadden)
established Vukutu, a sculptural farm near Inyanga
; when the School moved there Takawira followed, becoming one of its most important figures from 1969 until its closure in 1976. In this period pre-independence, the white Rhodesian government saw the Vukutu artists as a politically-motivated group and John was at one time arrested for carrying stones, which was seen as a provocation.
John Takawira contributed his sculpture Skeletal Baboon to an exhibition called Arte de Vukutu shown in 1971 at the Musée National d'Art Moderne
and in 1972 at the Musée Rodin
. These were arranged by McEwen, who had lived and worked in Paris
prior to his appointment in Harare
. The piece was an enormous success, being called by Charles Ratton the "finest art to emerge from Africa in the twentieth century". Almost immediately Takawira's international reputation was made and he became a full-time professional sculptor.
, with whom he had worked at Vukutu, and it is a testament to his power as an artist that he was able through these works to express his own feelings about the Shona religion and its beliefs about contact with the spirit world. Some of the pieces from this time are Skeletal Man (1969), Owl Spirit (1977) and He Has Life: Human Skeleton with Baboon Skull, the latter now in the British Museum
as part of the McEwen bequest.
One of John’s works, called Hornbill Man, was depicted on a Zimbabwean stamp issued to commemorate Commonwealth Day
on 14 March 1983. It formed the 30c value in a set completed with works by Henry Munyaradzi
, Joseph Ndandarika
and Nicholas Mukomberanwa
.
Takawira was among the first Zimbabwean sculptors to combine polished areas with rougher stone on the surface of his sculptures but he avoided coloured stones, preferring springstone (a type of hard black serpentine) which he is said to have named because his chisel sprang away from it owing to its extreme hardness . His subjects included references to traditional Shona
sources including Mwari (God), but women were a particular favorite which he returned to throughout his life: they were often shown with elongated necks and flowing hair. More of his works are in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe than those of any other artist.
In 1988, one of John's works called Chapungu (a Bateleur Eagle) was presented to Pope John Paul II
.
The catalogue “Chapungu: Culture and Legend – A Culture in Stone” for the exhibition at Kew Gardens in 2000 depicts John’s sculptures United Family (Springstone, 1987) on p. 24-25 and Rural Mother (Springstone, 1986) on p. 60-61. Both show elements of John's characteristic hollowed-out style that can be considered an extension of his early skeleton figures.
Takawira died suddenly in November 1989. His son Gerald Takawira
also became a sculptor.
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 background to the sculptural movement of which he was a leading member is given in the article on Shona art
Shona art
Shona art is the name applied to the visual culture of Zimbabwe. The term is used despite the fact that many artists now working there are not ethnically Shona and logically it should include art produced by settlers or visitors to Zimbabwe, especially in the colonial period...
.
Early life and education
Takawira was born in ChegutuChegutu
Chegutu is a town in the Mashonaland West province, northern Zimbabwe and is 110km southwest of Harare on the main Harare-Bulawayo road . According to the 1992 Population Census, the town had a population of 30,191...
, the son of a policeman, but grew up in 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...
where he was educated at the Mount Mellersay Mission School. He was deeply influenced by his mother, Mai, who had an imposing personality and a talent for story-telling based on her knowledge of Shona myths. She was also a potter
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
. Bernard
Bernard Takawira
Bernard Takawira was a Zimbabwean 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...
and Lazarus, his younger brothers, became sculptors and John retained many elements of his traditional upbringing throughout his life.
At the age of twenty, Takawira was introduced to sculpture by his uncle, the sculptor Joram Mariga
Joram Mariga
Joram Mariga has been called the “Father of Zimbabwean Sculpture” because of his influence on the local artistic community starting in the 1950s and continuing until his death in 2000...
. Almost immediately he was noticed by 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...
, the founding director of the new Rhodes National Gallery
National Gallery of Zimbabwe
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is a gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe, dedicated to the presentation and conservation of Zimbabwe’s contemporary art and visual heritage...
who invited him to become among the first members of the Workshop School at what is now the National Gallery of Zimbabwe
National Gallery of Zimbabwe
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is a gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe, dedicated to the presentation and conservation of Zimbabwe’s contemporary art and visual heritage...
; from 1963 his work was exhibited there. In 1969, McEwen's wife Mary (née McFadden)
Mary McFadden
Mary Josephine McFadden is an American fashion designer and writer.-Family:McFadden is the only daughter of Alexander Bloomfield McFadden, a cotton broker, and her mother was the former Mary Josephine Cutting, a socialite and concert pianist. Her father died in 1948, when he was killed in an...
established Vukutu, a sculptural farm near Inyanga
Inyanga
Inyanga is a Zulu word for a traditional herbal healer.An inyanga is a traditional South African herbalist, herb doctor, or medicine man or woman. The Southern African word inyanga is related to the Central African nganga, meaning a priest and medicine man...
; when the School moved there Takawira followed, becoming one of its most important figures from 1969 until its closure in 1976. In this period pre-independence, the white Rhodesian government saw the Vukutu artists as a politically-motivated group and John was at one time arrested for carrying stones, which was seen as a provocation.
John Takawira contributed his sculpture Skeletal Baboon to an exhibition called Arte de Vukutu shown in 1971 at the Musée National d'Art Moderne
Musée National d'Art Moderne
The Musée National d'Art Moderne is the national museum for modern art of France. It is located in Paris and is housed in the Centre Pompidou in the 4th arrondissement of the city. Created in 1947, it was then housed in the Palais de Tokyo and moved to its current location in 1977...
and in 1972 at the Musée Rodin
Musée Rodin
The Musée Rodin in Paris, France, is a museum that was opened in 1919 in the Hôtel Biron and surrounding grounds. It displays works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin....
. These were arranged by McEwen, who had lived and worked in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
prior to his appointment in Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
. The piece was an enormous success, being called by Charles Ratton the "finest art to emerge from Africa in the twentieth century". Almost immediately Takawira's international reputation was made and he became a full-time professional sculptor.
Later life and exhibitions
Takawira developed the skeleton theme that had inspired Sylvester MubayiSylvester Mubayi
Sylvester Mubayi is a Zimbabwean sculptor.A native of the Chiota Reserve near Marondera, Mubayi worked as a tobacco grader after leaving school; in 1966 he moved to Harare to look for work at the Chibuku Breweries. He joined the Tengenenge Sculpture Community in 1967 as one of its first members,...
, with whom he had worked at Vukutu, and it is a testament to his power as an artist that he was able through these works to express his own feelings about the Shona religion and its beliefs about contact with the spirit world. Some of the pieces from this time are Skeletal Man (1969), Owl Spirit (1977) and He Has Life: Human Skeleton with Baboon Skull, the latter now in the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
as part of the McEwen bequest.
One of John’s works, called Hornbill Man, was depicted on a Zimbabwean stamp issued to commemorate Commonwealth Day
Commonwealth Day
Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations held on the second Monday in March, and marked by a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by HM Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth High...
on 14 March 1983. It formed the 30c value in a set completed with works by Henry Munyaradzi
Henry Munyaradzi
Henry Munyaradzi was a Zimbabwean sculptor. The sculptural movement of which he was part is usually referred to as "Shona sculpture" , although some of its recognised members are not ethnically Shona. He worked initially at the Tengenenge Sculpture Community, 150 km north of Harare near...
, Joseph Ndandarika
Joseph Ndandarika
Joseph Ndandarika was a Zimbabwean sculptor known for his figurative works.A member of the Shona tribe, Ndandarika was the grandson of a highly respected n'anga, and spent some time as his apprentice before becoming a sculptor. He joined Frank McEwen's Workshop School in Harare in 1962, beginning...
and Nicholas Mukomberanwa
Nicholas Mukomberanwa
Nicholas Mukomberanwa was a Zimbabwean sculptor. He was among the most famous products of the Workshop School.-Life:Mukomberanwa was born in the Buhera District and spent his childhood in a rural environment. He was interested in art from an early age, being introduced to the craft of woodcarving...
.
Takawira was among the first Zimbabwean sculptors to combine polished areas with rougher stone on the surface of his sculptures but he avoided coloured stones, preferring springstone (a type of hard black serpentine) which he is said to have named because his chisel sprang away from it owing to its extreme hardness . His subjects included references to traditional 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:...
sources including Mwari (God), but women were a particular favorite which he returned to throughout his life: they were often shown with elongated necks and flowing hair. More of his works are in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe than those of any other artist.
In 1988, one of John's works called Chapungu (a Bateleur Eagle) was presented to Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
.
The catalogue “Chapungu: Culture and Legend – A Culture in Stone” for the exhibition at Kew Gardens in 2000 depicts John’s sculptures United Family (Springstone, 1987) on p. 24-25 and Rural Mother (Springstone, 1986) on p. 60-61. Both show elements of John's characteristic hollowed-out style that can be considered an extension of his early skeleton figures.
Takawira died suddenly in November 1989. His son Gerald Takawira
Gerald Takawira
Gerald Takawira was a Zimbabwean sculptor.Born in Nyanga, Takawira was the son of sculptor John Takawira, and had two brothers and a sister. He attended the local primary school before completing his education in Chiweshe in 1984...
also became a sculptor.
Selected solo and group exhibitions
- 1965 New Art from Rhodesia, Commonwealth Arts Festival, Royal Festival HallRoyal Festival HallThe Royal Festival Hall is a 2,900-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge. It is a Grade I listed building - the first post-war building to become so protected...
, London - 1971 Sculpture Contemporaine des Shonas d’Afrique, Musée RodinMusée RodinThe Musée Rodin in Paris, France, is a museum that was opened in 1919 in the Hôtel Biron and surrounding grounds. It displays works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin....
, Paris, France - 1972 Shona sculptures of Rhodesia, ICA GalleryInstitute of Contemporary ArtsThe Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. It is located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch...
, London - 1976 John Takawira, Standard Bank Gallery, HarareHarareHarare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
- 1983 The sculpture of John Takawira, PG Gallery, National Gallery of ZimbabweNational Gallery of ZimbabweThe National Gallery of Zimbabwe is a gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe, dedicated to the presentation and conservation of Zimbabwe’s contemporary art and visual heritage...
- 1985 Big John Takawira, The Gallery Shona Sculpture, HarareHarareHarare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
- 1985 John Takawira, Feingarten Gallery, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
- 1989 Zimbabwe op de Berg, Foundation Beelden op de Berg, WageningenWageningen' is a municipality and a historical town in the central Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland. It is famous for Wageningen University, which specializes in life sciences. The city has 37,414 inhabitants , of which many thousands are students...
, The Netherlands - 1989 Zimbabwe Heritage Exhibition, AucklandAucklandThe Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
(toured for 9 months) - 1990 Contemporary Stone Carving from Zimbabwe, Yorkshire Sculpture ParkYorkshire Sculpture ParkThe Yorkshire Sculpture Park in West Bretton, Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England is an open-air gallery showing work by UK and international artists, including Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth...
, UK - 1994 Moderne Afrikanische Kunst, PalmengartenPalmengartenThe Palmengarten is one of two botanical gardens in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany, and is located in the city district Westend-Nord. It is the largest garden of its kind in Germany....
, Frankfurt am Main, Germany - 1997 Zimbabwe Stone Sculpture, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape TownCape TownCape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
- 2000 Chapungu: Custom and Legend – A Culture in Stone, Kew Gardens, UK
- 2010 Embracing the Spirit, Phyllis CourtPhyllis CourtPhyllis Court is a private members club in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, situated by the River Thames.The Club was founded in 1906 and is located in a Georgian-style building set within its own elegant grounds, close to the town centre...
, Henley on Thames, UK