Joram Mariga
Joram Mariga was born in 1927 near Chinoye in Zimbabwe and is considered by many to be the father of the ““Shona Sculpture““ in Zimbabwe. He was one of the first people to start carving from stone.
Joram, as a child, observed his father and brother carvinh wood for pleasure. He started carving at the age of nine. In later life he taught woodcarving to family and friends including his famous nephew, John Takawira.
On qualifying as an agriculturist and working in Nyanga, a tractors grading a road unearthed a piece of soapstone. Joram scratched away at the soapstone like a piece of wood. His initial approach to stone came from his knowledge of carving wood.
Joram was later introduced to Frank McEwen who encouraged him to continue carving. A man of infinite patience, Joram did not mind the time it took to carve and gradually he discovered what other tools could be used.
Joram was one of the founding members of the Nyanga group of sculptors. It was here that many of the first generation became guided by the shape of the stone and developed the idea that stone suggests and contains shapes. Hence the ““Stone talks to me““. He was an influential and inspirational figure in the development of stone sculpture in Zimbabwe. He taught and encouraged many others to start making sculpture.
Joram“s sculpture speaks of Shona beliefs - images of cultural importance to the Shona. He has allowed his culture to take over his art and has given it an imagery of his own. Joram has worked in a wide variety of stones, understanding their properties and where they can be found. He sculpts to bring out the colours in the stone and gives small sculptures a jewel like appearance. He prefers to use unusual stones such as lilac/purple Lepidolite, Dolomite, Leopard Rock and Limestone.
Joram“s death was untimely. He was killed in a motor accident in 2001. He will be sorely missed by all.
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