Peter Chikumbirike
1958 – | Zimbabwe
Peter Chikumbirike has explored and detailed the older and much respected African man in traditional regalia. His people regard him as a father figure and the spiritual symbol of their tribe, – exceptionally fine and elegant, showing the pride of the African people, the detailing of the beard is truly superb and intricate and required a great amount of care and patience.
The Chikumbirike family is internationally renowned as Shona master sculptors. Peter was born on the 12th of July 1958, and grew up in a family of 18 children; ten boys and eight girls him being the fifth son. Peter never attended any formal art institution: his ability with stone comes from experience, determination and positive inspiration, all together assisted with a God given talent. Peter carved in hard stones such as Verdite, Cobalt Stone, Butter Jade and Spring Stone.
Peter began carving wood as a hobby at a very young age with his brothers, Moses, Canaan and Israel. After finishing his academic education in 1976 Peter set off to the capital Salisbury, present day Harare, in search of success. Here he joined his brothers Moses, Israel and Canaan who were already full-time sculptors by then. In 1980 the brothers staged their first national exhibition, sold all their exhibited works and established international connections that proved to be of great importance in the future. In present day Peter, has exhibited his works in galleries all over the world, in the U.S.A he was commissioned to do a sculpture of a gorilla which was placed in the Lincoln Zoo, Nebraska, officially opened by the president of the U.S.A during that time. He has works on permanent collections displayed in museums in Italy, Senegal, and one in the Black Holocaust Museum in Curacao which was a direct commissioned work.
In present day Peter has exhibited his works in galleries all over the world.
In the U.S.A. he was commissioned to do a sculpture of a gorilla which was placed in the Lincoln Zoo, Nebraska, which at that time was officially opened by the then president of the U.S.A
He has permanent collections of works on display in museums in Italy, Senegal, and one in the Black Holocaust museum in Curacao which was directly commissioned.
Peter carves in hard stone, such as Verdite.
He was last known to reside with his family, in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe.
Work
Featured Work
THE MESSENGER
1985
Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 41 cm | 62 Kg
Carved from Verdite Stone.
VERDITE – The Green Stone Of Africa (Mohs 7 – 8.5).
Verdite, a semi-precious stone over 3,500 million years old is a challenging medium for sculptors and master craftsmen. It is also known as ‘Africa’s Green Gold’, and is highly sought after by artists. Only the most experience sculptor will dare sculpt this hard stone. It rates between 7.0 – 8.5 (depending on the amount of Corundum inclusions) on the universally used Mohs Hardness Scale.
Ancient African tribesmen crafted Verdite into jewellery, and witchdoctors made a preparation from the powdered stone, which they believed increased fertility. Rare and beautiful, it occurs in a variety of changing patterns and shades ranging from golden browns to rich emerald greens to blues. It is found only in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe, is of high quality and sought after by international art collectors and investors who have been quick to recognise it’s rarity and intrinsic value. As Verdite is a stone of beauty which is fast becoming difficult to find, carvings from this stone will become increasingly more valuable as time goes on and is therefore, a genuine investment.
This sculpture comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance.
This was purchased personally by Paul Gunner from Peter Chikumbirike in 1985 and has been in his possession ever since.