Nyariri casts women’s rights in stone

on February 18 — also scooped the top prize in 2010.
The Chitungwiza-based artist explained that it was this theme that inspired his award-winning sculpture titled “Celebrating Time — Nguva Yekupembera”, depicting a woman blowing a trumpet (hwamanda in Shona).
“The woman depicted in the sculpture is calling upon fellow women to come and celebrate Women’s Day.
“Women are important people in the existence of humankind although they are looked down upon. But they play an enormous role in making the world a better place,” Nyariri said.
Nyariri also said it was his aim to advocate for issues affecting African women through his works.
“The world needs to know issues affecting African women and this starts from being conversant with our own culture as artists. I believe that women the world over should not sideline their counterparts from the African continent in the push for the recognition of their rights and other attendant issues,” Nyariri said.
Speaking on the award, the artist said he was humbled by the honour bestowed on him for the second consecutive year.
“To me this shows transparency on the part of the organisers — the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
“There are some people who have been nominated in the same category for years and for me to win it for the second time is a clear testimony of the level of commitment I put into my art,” he said.
Nyariri (34) won the Nama accolade with his piece titled “Please Mama”, in 2010.
And just like “Celebrating Time — Nguva Yekupembera”, the artifact also paid tribute to women but this time with a focus on mothers.
Born on June 28, 1977 in Mhondoro, Nyariri’s sculpting career started under the tutelage of Tinashe Makaza and Samuel Masakwa at Waterland in Chitungwiza where he was employed as a polisher.
But it was at Chapungu Sculpture Park in Msasa where he  honed his skills after being exposed to renowned artists like Dominic Benhura, Ignatius Zhuwakinyi and Garrison Machinjili, among others.
Nyariri’s sculptures have been marketed in the United States, United Kingdom and the Netherlands.