Title: Togetherness

Artist: Tonde Katsande

Material: Iron Stone

Dimensions: 19" H x 14" W

Approximate Weight: 29 lbs

A common sight in rural Zimbabwe is that of the mother with her child or children.  The bond between mother and child continues to develop into childhood.  When a son reaches puberty, he moves into a closer relationship with the male members of his extended family.  However, mother and daughter remain close and share the daily chores which involve farming or gardening, gathering firewood, cooking and carrying water to their home from the nearest river or well.  When daughters are strong enough, they help their mothers by acting as surrogate mothers in terms of caring for those children younger than themselves and often it is the young daughter who is seen in the field with a baby brother or sister on her back while the mother carries her newborn.

The artist sculpts this touching scene in black iron stone serpentine, one the hardest stones to carve.