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Talent Chimutambgi
Arts Reporter
Pieces of sculpture are there to effectively tell world stories in visuals, hence they are moralistic and didactic.
Their influence must never be underrated and society at large does not stop casting eyes gazing at pieces of art, and deducing messages.
Award-winning sculptor Stanley Mutanga is designing and carving artefacts to encourage women to be screened early for breast cancer, which has become a new trajectory.
Mutanga says he has been driven by the rate at which the disease is killing women.
“I changed my imagination after realising that most women are dying as a result of cancer. My carvings are sending a message to the people, especially women and girls to go and get tested early for breast cancer at a stage where it is still controllable,” said Mutanga.
Mutanga who is based in Tafara, returned home from Canada recently and was disheartened by stories of mothers losing their lives to breast cancer.
“I want to ensure that the message is understood and is taken seriously, cancer is a dangerous disease that can be treated if screened early. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better your chance of survival.
“Early detection of breast cancer may mean less treatment and less time spent recovering. Most breast cancers are harmful and should be detected and treated as early as possible,” said Mutanga. Mutanga who was born in Murehwa and relocated to Harare in search of lucrative sculpting deals, highlights in some of his pieces, some of the measures that can reduce breast cancer.
One of his pieces shows a mother breastfeeding her child as another way of reducing the chances of having the ailment.
“Breastfeeding can also lower a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancers. A recent study found that only about 1 in 4 people think that a woman is less likely to develop breast cancer later in life if she breastfeeds.
It’s important to know that breastfeeding helps not only the baby’s health but also the mother’s health. In light of this I have some works that are depicting this,” he said.
Tafara and Mabvuku have become a hive of sculpture activities with seasoned and those who are still under tutelage.
Mutanga said he had nurtured at least 20 students who are making headways to occupy the arts space. Mutanga won a National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) and in 2019 was awarded for being the best 3 Dimension (3D) artist.
He said when doing his work, he depicts everyday issues and occurrences.
“Last summer I was invited to Gunguwo Art Farm in Canada. Some of my works are displayed in workshops in Kingston Canada.
The sculpture which was voted the best that year is titled “Tribute to Mother of all Generations” When doing my work, I convey messages about things that I see every day. I also depict some everyday occurrences that affect people’s lives which include romance, culture, and nature as well. My current works are Under My Wing, Sweet Mother, and Mother Of Generations,” he said.
Mutanga said, apart from visiting his studio in Tafara, fans can also find his work on his Facebook page under S.Mutanga Sculptures, and on Instagram@wembizi as well as on his X account at Tweeter@stanley_mutanga.
You can also check @Gunguosculpturefarm
He said it is important to embrace the arts industry by building more centres to make it more accessible.
“I spent over thirty years in the arts. I think there is a need to build more art centres and embrace them through organising workshops to teach the succeeding generations about sculpting,” he said.
The Government is currently working flat-out to provide more centres for cancer screening.
Online Reporter