malvernmugadzikwa
Society Reporter
THE Chapungu Sculpture Park, which has one of the largest Zimbabwean stone sculpture collections in the world, plans to revamp its operations following a prolonged period of inactivity.
The place has become a shadow of its former self.
Ever since the long illness and subsequent death of Roy Guthrie, the founder and director of this iconic sculpture park, it appears standards have been plummeting.
Guthrie died on March 5 aged 89.
When The Sunday Mail Society crew visited the park last week, it was greeted by overgrown grass at the entrance.
Some of the sculptures, among them prominent pieces, were hidden in the tall grass.
The car park, which always used to be in immaculate condition, now resembles a wheat field, with weeds and all types of grass over-running it.
The open area where sculptors used to chip away stone some years back is equally neglected.
It is evident the entertainment area has not been in use for a while now, with the braai stands rusting away. The recreational area, which boasts a dam, was previously used for wedding receptions and other social and commercial events.
The exhibition building, which houses important sculptural pieces, is no longer drawing hordes of art lovers.
During our visit, only a single member of the Haya Cooperative, a grouping of Chapungu’s resident artists, was forlornly working on a piece of stone.
In the past, the sculpture park was always teeming with resident artists.
Chapungu Sculpture Park marketing coordinator Merilyn Mushakwe said several factors had led to the current state of affairs.
She, however, was quick to point out that plans to restore the lost shine were afoot.
“First and foremost, we are still mourning our director, who was ill for a long time. We are currently working on an exhibition that will be held next Saturday (yesterday) and I am inviting you to come and see for yourself,” Mushakwe said.
On the number of resident artists who are operating from the place, she said: “Chapungu does not control the resident artists. These are members of a cooperative, who operate as they wish. We do not have control over them.”
Marcey Mushore, a director at the sculpture park, said efforts have been made to restore the place’s golden glory.
“Lots of efforts have been made to restore the park over the past few years. Many visitors are now very enthusiastic about the venue since our 2023 programme was filled with numerous events, including a stone sculpting workshop by the renowned Agnes Nyanhongo and another with the Dutch Embassy,” Mushore said.
The late Guthrie founded Chapungu in 1980 and was one of the best suppliers of top-end Zimbabwean stone sculpture.
The park was known for its international exhibitions that attracted sculpture enthusiasts from far and wide.
Through Chapungu, Guthrie pioneered the promotion of local stone sculpture worldwide and established this important permanent collection of art.
On exhibition at Chapungu are works by prominent artists such as Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Henry Munyaradzi, Sylvester Mubayi, Joseph Ndandarika, Boira Mteki, Bernard Matemera and John Takawira.
Basing on what is taking place on the ground, Mushore and her team have a lot of work to do in their efforts to bring back the spark.
Online Reporter