Vintage Surrealist Folk Art Bird/Worm Stone Sculpture by Ephraim Chaurika, Signed

Description

Vintage Surrealist Bird/Worm Stone Animal Sculpture by Ephraim Chaurika, Signed. Hand carved dark grey stone with the signature on the … more Vintage Surrealist Bird/Worm Stone Animal Sculpture by Ephraim Chaurika, Signed. Hand carved dark grey stone with the signature on the bottom. Most likely an earlier piece from the artist. In used condition with scuffs and scratches (typical of this type of softer stone). Refer to photos for details.

Size:  13.25”H x 6.25”D x 3.25”W

Ephraim Chaurika was born in Guruve, northern Zimbabwe, in 1940 and is a member of the Kore Kore tribe. He grew up in a rural area, herding and observing animals.

Ephraim joined Tom Blomefield’s Tengenenge Art Community in 1966 and began sculpting the local serpentine stone. First a tortoise emerged, and then baboons, owls, lions and horses (amongst others) followed.

Now over 80, Ephraim continues to fit his sculpting in around the rigorous demands of his farm. He has a worldwide following and is particularly well-known for his endearing sculptures of horses.

Selected national and international exhibitions:

Selected Exhibitions:

2000/01 ‘Seele in Stein’, Museum Alpin, Pontresina, Switzerland

1998 ‘Zimbabwe, Stenen Getuigenissen’, Afrika Museum Belgium

1997 ‘Moderne Afrikanische Kunst’, Skulpturen aus Zimbabwe, Messepark, Munich, Germany

1990 ‘Contemporary Stone Carving From Zimbabwe’, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK

1989 ‘Fanizani and Chaurika’, Two Man Exhibition, Chapungu Sculpture Park, Harare, Zimbabwe

1985 ‘Soul In Stone’, Group Exhibition, Irving Sculpture Gallery, Sydney, Australia

1980 ‘Tengenenge Stone Sculpture from Africa’, Feingarten Galleries, Los Angeles, CA, USA

1973 ‘Shonas d’Afrique’, Galerie Simone Badinier, Paris, France

1967/68 ‘New African Art: the African Workshop School’, Organised by MOMA, NY, USA (toured several American cities)

1966 Annual Art Exhibition, National Gallery, Salisbury, Rhodesia

He is also featured in (and on the cover of) ‘Myth and Magic: The Art Of The Shona Of Zimbabwe’ by Joy Kuhn and the definitive text on the first generation, ‘Sculptors From Zimbabwe’ by Ben Joosten. (excerpt from Guruve.com) less