News / National
3.1m Mugabe statue on the cards
27 Oct 2014 at 15:24hrs | Views
Local metal sculptor, Joshua Mboya is set to unveil a 3,1 metre larger than life metal statue of President Robert Mugabe in honour of his works and standing in world politics.
The 32-year-old Kuwadzana based artist said the piece, ‘President Mugabe the African Icon,' has taken two years to stitch the small pieces together using ark welding equipment due to financial challenges which saw him auction some of his household property to fund the project.
"I am encouraged by the man the President is and I always felt I should work on a piece and present it to government as my way of recognising his Pan-African stance," he said.
Mboya used his creativity in shaping the different sized pieces of metal to produce a form to detail one of the few remaining founders of Pan-Africanist ideals.
He used about 10 still pictures, the head needing at least five different pictures of President Mugabe to give enough detail.
"For detail we have to use the different pictures and this will give an accurate product," said Mboya.
Joe Nyamungoma, who is assisting the sculptor with funds and material, said there is need for the corporates to work with artists as it will also uplift the country's profile while providing a living for the artists.
"This presents an opportunity for Zimbabwe to be recognised globally. We have claimed stone sculpture and this assistance if availed to a number of our artists can see the industry grow and the country's name in the books of history," he said.
With his grinder and welding machine, Mboya wants to spread the gospel of Pan-Africanism through his pieces.
He has done other pieces of icons such as Bob Marley which, was bought by the government of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the largest metal elephant sculpture standing eight metres high at Kombani Lodge and a 3,4 metre tall Dr Joshua Nkomo piece, which was stolen in Bulawayo in 2012.
The 32-year-old Kuwadzana based artist said the piece, ‘President Mugabe the African Icon,' has taken two years to stitch the small pieces together using ark welding equipment due to financial challenges which saw him auction some of his household property to fund the project.
"I am encouraged by the man the President is and I always felt I should work on a piece and present it to government as my way of recognising his Pan-African stance," he said.
Mboya used his creativity in shaping the different sized pieces of metal to produce a form to detail one of the few remaining founders of Pan-Africanist ideals.
He used about 10 still pictures, the head needing at least five different pictures of President Mugabe to give enough detail.
"For detail we have to use the different pictures and this will give an accurate product," said Mboya.
Joe Nyamungoma, who is assisting the sculptor with funds and material, said there is need for the corporates to work with artists as it will also uplift the country's profile while providing a living for the artists.
"This presents an opportunity for Zimbabwe to be recognised globally. We have claimed stone sculpture and this assistance if availed to a number of our artists can see the industry grow and the country's name in the books of history," he said.
With his grinder and welding machine, Mboya wants to spread the gospel of Pan-Africanism through his pieces.
He has done other pieces of icons such as Bob Marley which, was bought by the government of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the largest metal elephant sculpture standing eight metres high at Kombani Lodge and a 3,4 metre tall Dr Joshua Nkomo piece, which was stolen in Bulawayo in 2012.
Source - zbc
