"At first I look at the stone and then seek
guidance from the ancestors. I want my
sculptures to be seen as a true representation
of the beauty of the African woman."
~ Tutani Mgabazi
Tutani was born 3rd March 1975 in Guruve, Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. He is second born in a family of eight, four boys and four girls. His totem is Moyo ndizvo dhehwa - the heart.
In
1981 Tutani started his primary education at Holy Rosary school in
Mvurwi. During his primary school days, his favourite was the art and
craft lessons, and during school holidays he used to visit his uncle
Frances Mugavazi, a well known 'first generation' sculptor.
During this time he imitated what his uncle was doing. By the age of twelve, he was sculpting pieces that caught the eye of the collectors visiting his Uncle. Also around this time, one of the first people to collect his work was a Doctor Keitzer from Germany, who was working at the Mvurwi General Hospital (Tutani's home town). He encouraged Tutani to continue his artistic career. By the age of 13, Tutani enjoyed sculpting so much that his father realized his talent and supported him. He bought him his first tools, and at age 15, he introduced his son to Tom Bloomfield - from the famous Tengenenge Sculpture Community, near Guruve.
Before Tutani finished his secondary
education, he already had sculptures displayed in the National Art Gallery of
Zimbabwe. So when he finished school in 1992 he did not have to look for
employment, for he was already earning some money from his work. In 1993, soon
after his secondary education, he held a two-man exhibition with his Uncle Luke
Mugavazi at Ramambo Lodge Gallery in the capital, Harare. This was the
beginning of a wider exposure of his talents.
Tutani is one of the sculptors who started the Gavazi Art Centre in 1992. But later, he left for Mutorashanga (Jester Mine) where he discovered deposits of Springstone [the form of Serpentine most sought-after by accomplished sculptors]. He claimed the area and started living and working there in 1995. Sometime around 1996, Tutani teamed up with Mrs. Jill Latham of 'Feoch Mtorashanga' and started the 'Artists for Artists' Sculpture Gardens. Since then people from all over the World have collected his works. More recently, Tutani has created a sculpture workshop and garden gallery near his home in Mvurwi. This gallery provides a home and promotes the work of up and coming young artists.
Tutani has been involved in many exhibitions and workshops, including the following:
1993 : Two-man exhibition with Luke Mugavazi.
1994 : National Art Gallery, Harare - 'Anglo-American Annual Exhibios'.
1999 : Stone Heritage Gallery Zimbabwe.
2000 : 5th International Sculpture Symposium Obernkirchen, Germany - Representing Zimbabwe.
2002 : 'Spirits in Stone', S.A.P. Head-Quarters
- Germany.
2003 : Munhumutapa Art Gallery Annual
Sculpting Workshop 2002-3 - Cape Town, South Africa.
2003 : 'Shamwari' Art Gallery Art Gallery
Annual workshop 2003 - Oakland, Califonia, USA.
2004 : Munhumutapa Art Gallery, Harare - Annual Workshop 2004.
2005 : Bremen 'World Trade Centre', Germany.
2006 : 7th International Sculpture Symposium
- Obernkirchen, Germany.
2007 : 'Gallery Zimart. Siehagen & Kristin Diehl' Shona Art Exhibitions - Germany.
2008 : 'Gallery Zimart Siehagen' - Germany.
2008 : Two-man Exhibition with Ephias Chivhunga - Misty Hills Country Hotel, South Africa.
