GIDEON NYANHONGO
Gedion was born in Zimbabwe, Africa where he learned and practiced his craft, Shona Stone Sculpture. He was taught by his father, Claud Nyanhongo, an original member of the Shona Stone Sculpture Movement of Zimbabwe, that was founded in the 1960’s. In his deceptively simple and flowing work, one can gain a real insight into his heritage, the Shona people of Zimbabwe, Africa and its rich culture. Creating unique, hand carved stone sculpture and sharing it with the world is his great passion.His sculptures in hard and enduring Opal Stone, Spring Stone and Zimbabwe (Nyanga) Stone will outlive political regimes that threaten community, family and individual rights and values.
He uses traditional carving techniques used for generations by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Gedion exclusively using indigenous stone mined in Zimbabwe – such as serpentine, spring stone, opal, lepidolite and verdite, which he import to the United States. Carving, chiseling and honing each sculpture over many, many hours completely by hand, using traditional tools and only by himself.
Over the years Gedion has become even more discerning in creating sculptures that move theMovement forward into the 21st century, whilst maintaining a bridge reaching back to the rich stories and culture of his ancestors.
His debut exhibition was in 1989 at the Mabwe Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe. He has since exhibited his works in solo and group exhibitions at numerous venues around the world, including: England, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, South Africa, U.S.A, and Zimbabwe.
Selected Exhibitions
2002 Art Creation Africa - Switzerland
2003 Chicago Botanical Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, USA
2003 Riyal Horticultural Society, Hyde Hall, Essex, Great Britain
2004 Denver Botanical Garden, Denver, Colorado USA
2005 Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, Ohio, USA
2008 Powell Gardens, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
2016 Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
2021-2025 Tucson Jewish Community Center Sculpture Garden, Tucson, Arizona, USA
2022-2026 Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk, Sioux Falls, South Dakota USA
2022-2026 Moab ArtTrails Sculpture Exhibition, Moab, Utah, USA
2023-2026 St Joseph’s Sculpture Walk, Missouri, USA
2023-2024 National Sculpture Society’s 90th Anniversary Exhibition, USA
2024-2026 Baytown Sculpture Trail, Baytown, Texas, USA
2024-2026 Sculpture Walk Springfield, Missouri USA
2024-2026 Hutchinson Sculpture Stroll, Minnesota, USA
2024-2025 Midwest Sculpture Initiative Spring Show, Tecumseh & Fenton, Michigan, USA
2024-2025 City of Flagstaff, Arizona USA - Liz Archeluta Memorial Park
2025-2026 Sculpture Walk Across Nebraska - Sculptures in Norfolk, Oglala, North Platte
2025-2026 Wayne American Sculpture Walk, Wayne Nebraska
2025-2026 Eau Claire Sculpture Tour, Wisconsin
2025 Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum Biennual Exhibition, Saginaw, Michigan
2025 Ohio Arts Council, Rife Gallery, Biennual Exhibition, Columbus Ohio
2025 Scottsdale-Ferrari Art Week, Scottsdale, Arizona
2025 Arts HQ Gallery, West Valley Arts Council, Exhibition African Americans in Art, Glendale AZ
2026 The Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, Colorado, Exhibition, Black Futures in Art
Collections
Pacific Place, Hong Kong
Chapungu Sculpture Parks, Harare, Zimbabwe & Loveland, Colorado USA
Contemporary Fine Art Gallery, Eton , England
Council of Ferundensadt, Germany
L’Espace Nord-Sud, Gergovia, France
National Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe
Westfallen Park, Dortmund, Germany
Frankfurt City Council, Germany
Clint Eastwood, Carmel, California, USA
Muhammad Ali Collection, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Former German Ambassador, Dr. William Killian
Atkinson Gallery, CRMA Fine Arts, USA
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA
The Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ
