Chrispen Chakanyuka
Chrispen Chakanyuka was born in 1943 in the Guruvu District, of the Kore-Kore tribe. Chrispen completed his secondary schooling in 1960 and joined his brother in Nyanga to look for work. In Nyanga he met John Takawira who was already a sculptor. It was the first time in his life that he had seen a sculptor at work and was most intrigued. John then introduced him to Joram Mariga who taught him to sculpt during the years 1961 and 1962.
At the Nyanga School sculpting began after 4 p.m. and at the weekends. Chrispen said that ´´it was a hard time during the early years with just a few customers´´. In 1963 he returned to his home in Guruvu. In 1966 Chrispen met Tom Blomefield (founder of the Tengenenge Sculpture Community) to whom he passed on his knowledge of sculpting. He pointed out to Tom the rich deposits of serpentine on Tom´s Tengenenge farm highlighting the farms potential to become a carving community. Chrispen stayed at Tom´s farm for three months during which time he taught others to carve. In the same year Chrispen sent seven sculptures to the National Gallery. Chrispen´s influence in initiating of the sculptors community was simple, yet profound.
After the outbreak of the War of Independence, Chrispen was forced to give up his work as a sculptor and take up building in order to earn a living. He continued sculpting after the declaration of Independence. In 1994 he was invited to join the Residency Programme as a full time sculptor at Chapungu Sculpture Park, a prominent sculpture park. The chance to work with good tools and stone has opened up many new possibilities for Chrispen´s creative energy.
Chrispen is an extremely dedicated sculptor and one who is always concerned with self-development and creative growth. He has participated in major group exhibitions both locally and internationally.
Artist Sculpture:
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