Jasper Mukuna
Art is song; song is melody, yet melody does not have it on its own but with rhythm.
Without realization, the 3rd August 1978 was the dawn of a new era in the field of art as this was the day Jasper Mukuna was born. A young man, full of passion and filled with talent and devoted to art.
At a very tender age Jasper began venturing in all sorts of artistic practices. Inspired by the likes of his uncle, Peter Mukuna. He began doing fine art in 1994 in ironwood and even tried his hand at ivory. Peter introduced him to art when he was doing his ordinary levels. Peter obtained the touch from Sylvester Mukuna being Jasper磗 father. A Family thing some might say.
Sylvester still an artist but with a different style. He specializes mainly in designing ostrich eggs, buffalo horns etc. In 1997 Jasper was at Sondela art curios based in Bulawayo where he worked with Bezel Stanely who owns Sondela Art Cuirios that does mainly ostrich eggs designing, and mainly paneling from ironwood.
With the urge to explore, Mukuna moved to Harare in the mid 1998磗, this is when he transformed into a Shona artist when he was under Y.A.O.Z. His artistic journey was boosted partly by Y.A.O.Z. Figie Mombe is the founder of the Young Artist of Zimbabwe. Figie Mombe is also a painter and sculptor. The first pieces were along Richard Mteki, Bryn Muteki and Figie Mombe with held from Southern African curios who exhibited the pieces in Cape Town through M-Net.
He moved to Hatfied where he teamed up with Washington Msonza and Johnathan Mhondorohuma up until the millennium. Again he moved and began working with Lameck Bonjisi in the year 2000. Jasper attended experienced workshops with the likes of Lephat Gonde, Luxon Karise, Eddie Shondo and Garner Sango, having such persons as colleagues and working with them an honor. This built up his confidence and courage to carrier. Working with these people was quite an experience, adventure yet again it was a big step into more to come.
Jasper believes he is a messenger, like a Journalist he seeks to unveil the truth. He like any other artist has destiny. His ambition is to speak and be heard.
As an artist I meet competition and through this competition there磗 different deals. Sometimes involving tension arising from jealousy. Competition is inevitable but I believe art is no trendy thing, its not meant to be bought and then thrown away or out the next season. Art stands for generations to come. Art is a song, there磗 a voice. It is what one chooses to make it but I choose to make it an expression. Expression of different feelings, emotions, and thoughts those, which I inject in, stone giving birth to a bare kind of warmth 创STONE创.
Through hard work in the most dedication I have anchored myself in Hatfield and established a gallery at number 66 Airport Lodge Airport Road, Hatfield, Harare.
After deep thought I decided to call 创THE DARK PRINCE PRODUCTIONS创. I run my gallery from 08:00 to 17:00 daily. Sundays I take time to praise and worship my Savior and my God.
创I really do not think that I have won, the one thing I do however know is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach ahead which is God磗 call and my help will only come from the Lord who made heaven and earth创.
Artist Sculpture:
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