WISDOM ZINYEKA

SHONA MASTER

The soft spoken and humble Wisdom Zinyeka in a recent taped conversation with Kush demonstrated the breath of knowledge, life experience and vision flowing through him at a relatively young age. It is equally apt that he bears the name Wisdom. Third generation artist Wisdom is from an acclaimed line of Shona master sculptors including the late Gladman Zinyeka and current second-generation master Thomas Zinyeka.

It is of no surprise to see Wisdom take on sculpting with such dedication, as his father was also a painting artist. Teaming up with Dawson Chivizhe in Chitungwiza has enabled Wisdom to elevate his spiritual meditations with another kindred spirit. Together their meditation evolved into pioneering a new living environment where artists can focus on developing their art into new dimensions of creativity and imagination. While practicing his craft for the last 10 years, Wisdom has heard the promises of many promoters, collectors and buyers of Shona art.

Now Wisdom doesn't have to listen to those empty promises since entering into partnership with Kush to design a holistic living environment rooted in ART for ADVOCACY, organic agricultural farming and sustainable technologies. In October 2003 Kush filmed an interview in which Wisdom shared some of his thoughts on life, Shona art, the Kush Zambezi Center and the future of Zimbabwe's youth.

On the subject of the Center he states, –"we are trying to create employment as well for the young youths, because at the moment our economy is down, even work is difficult to find, so we can help some youths teaching them the sculpture in addition to farming.” It is equally important to Wisdom that the youths learning on the farm are able to earn a living with their creative talents and energies, while contributing to the nation as a whole.

Wisdom stresses the need for peace so that Zimbabwean people can be united and have the strength to progress as individuals and as a nation. His pieces will carry themes that communicate messages of peace, love and harmony. In this way he can educate the Zimbabwean people about what they are capable of accomplishing when they are living together. Wisdom works in multicolored Opal Stone, Fruit Serpentine and Springstone.