Artist Richard Mteki 13"H x 10" W

Title: Dimensions                                                                                      

Artist: Richard Mteki                                                                  

Dimensions: 13” H x 10” W                                                       

Material: Spring Stone Serpentine                                              

Approximate Weight: 38 lbs       

Richard Mteki was born in Zimbabwe in 1947. Spending time in the of Richard Mteki is as rich experience as living with a piece of his sculpture. He epitomizes the thoughtful demeanor that Shona people revere as a precious
human trait. One of his sons is now starting to carve under Richard's watchful eye. He also has a number of other young people working with him as student carvers. He works gently with them and urges them to work hard to find their own voice in the stone.

Richard will take you in his car to see the work of other carvers that he thinks deserve attention. He is a wonderful mentor and an astounding ambassador for Zimbabwe's unique community of gifted sculptors.

Mteki was commissioned by the government of Zimbabwe in 1986 to carve a monumental sculpture of the great Chapunga eagle that stands outside of the entrance of the national sports stadium in the capital city of Harare.

His work can move people to tears and it is much sought after by collectors from the United States as well as people from all over the world. Many of his finest pieces are part of the permanent collection in the National Gallery
in Harare, Zimbabwe. He is featured in many books on Shona sculpture.

Mteki had no formal training in carving. His first work was exhibited in: The Annual Exhibition of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in 1965 and was also shown in prestigious shows in 1981, 1987 and 1988.