Colleen’s Big Mamas

This gallery is inspired by Colleen Madamombe (1964 – 2009), the best-known and most sought-after female artist in the Zimbabwean sculpture movement. Colleen became best-known for her work depicting women in Shona culture: the themes of womanhood – marriage, motherhood and sheer hard work, twinned with demure dress and bearing – are her stock in trade. Colleen’s work has formed part of numerous international exhibitions. Due to the intrinsic appeal of Colleen’s subject matter, as well as the high prices her pieces command, most of her work is now part of private collections. Several of Colleen’s sculptures form part of the Spirits & Stone Collection, including ‘Mother and Child’ in White Opal, 38cm, featured below. The other pieces in the gallery below are by two of Colleen’s nephews — John Monera and Esau Karuru — who apprenticed with her for several years, going on to become accomplished sculptors in their own right. These pieces, commissioned for the Spirits & Stone Collection, were created as a tribute to their aunt.