Chapungu: Custom and Legend, a Culture in Stone at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

From November 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013.

Chapungu: Custom and Legend, a Culture in Stone, is on view in the lowlands of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden with 82 unique, hand-carved sculptures by artists from Zimbabwe.

The seven-month exhibition depicts beautiful stone carvings of animals, families, customs, social issues and creatures of legend. Carved from opal stone, cobalt and springstone, these alluring works of art are grouped by theme in Fairchild’s lowlands: Custom and Legend, Family, Nature and Environment, Role of Elders, Role of Women, Social Comment, The Spirit World and Village Life. These amazing sculptures range in height from 3 to 10 feet and weigh between 600 and 6,000 pounds. “Each of these sculptures is a unique, one of a kind creation that the artists have produced based on their own ideas and passions,” says Roy Guthrie, Chapungu Curator.

Many of the 35 artists represented are from Zimbabwe’s native tribe, the Shona people. The Shone tribe believes that the “Chapungu Bird” is a good omen, bringing them protection and good fortune. Chapungu is a metaphor for the Bateleur Eagle, Terathopius ecaudatus, a powerful bird of prey that can fly up to 300 miles a day at 30 to 50 miles an hour and lives in the savannas, open forests and semi-deserts of central and southern Africa.

In addition to enjoying the exhibition, visitors and the community can create their own original sculpture with the help of a Chapungu artist in residence during one of several five-day workshops held Tuesday through Saturday in a pavilion near the lowland’s palm collection. No experience is required. For reservations and details, call 305.667.1651 ext 3322.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156
305.667.1651
www.fairchildgarden.org

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