s t u n n i n g    s t o n e

Michael Nyakusvora was born on 23 May 1975 in the Rusape district of Zimbabwe.  His first introduction to carving came at the age of 10 when he began assisting his grandfather, a renowned local woodcarver.

His beginnings in stone sculpting followed a similar path.  On completion of his secondary education in 1993 he went to Harare in search of employment.  Realising that there was little chance of securing employment he moved to Chitungwiza.  It was here, in 1994 that he was first exposed to sculptors working in stone.

Michael was fortunate to meet his friend Shepherd Madzikatire who was himself working with and learning from his cousin, one of the masters of Shona sculpture, Moses Masaya.  In February 1994 Michael was accepted into the small group of young sculptors who assisted and were taught by Masaya.

When Moses Masaya died in 1996, Michael & Shepherd Madzikatire continued to work together until March 1999.  Since then Michael has worked on his own so that he can more readily develop his own identity and reputation as an artist.

His work has been accepted by many local galleries and in 1999 his work was exhibited for the first time at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s Annual Exhibition.

His preferred medium is springstone and his influences remain within the mainstream of the Shona sculpture movement.  Human and animal forms are frequently the subject of his work, as is reference to Shona society. Culture and beliefs.  Stylistically his original influence came from the late Moses Masaya as was also true for Shepherd Madzikatire with whom Michael worked most closely during his formative years during the 1990’s.