Title:  Mother Love

Artist: Agony Shangwa

Material: Green Serpentine

Dimensions: 18" H x 10" W

Approximate Weight: 31.4 lbs

The bond between mother and child is one of the strongest bond in Shona culture.  This sculpture, from every view depicts that strong bond.  From the moment of birth children are carefully taught the beliefs, rituals and behaviors that are expected of everyone in the community.  The child’s training always stresses humbleness, respect and fulfilling one’s duties.  

Maxwell Agony Shangwa was born August 24, 1962 in Harare, Zimbabwe.  In 1978 at the age of 16, he began the art of carving.  Initially, he performed odd jobs such as sanding raw carvings.  It takes hours of patient sanding to achieve the ultimate soft finish necessary before the carving can be waxed.  He then learned the waxing process, then how to select the best rock for carving

 After nine years of dedicated work, Agony began to create from rock pieces showing the abstract myths of his an ancestors along with lyrical carvings of spirit animals. One of the recurring themes of Shangwa’s sculpture was his love of music and family.

Agony Shangwa’s work has been exhibited in the United States and is part of the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Agony Shangwa died in Bulawayo in May 1993 at age 31.