The Stone Carving Process
The process of creating a sculpture requires not only technical skill but also the artistic talent to create genuine and original art.
Phase One: Minning
The creation of Shona sculptures begins with the selection of the stone. The sculptor mines the raw stones in a small-scale operation from an open-cast pit. The sculptor then chooses a piece of stone that is suitable for their desired design. Shona sculptors describe their stone sculpturing work as "the beauty within", stating that the material "speaks" to them as they work.
In Shona culture, the sculpting process holds spiritual significance, and it is believed that the spirits of ancestors are within the rock.
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Phase Two: Roughing-Out
The artist starts by sketching the rough design onto the stone using charcoal; then, using hand tools such as a hammer and chisel, they carve the design into the rock.
This allows the sculptor to extract the outer layers to reveal the inner stone.
Phase Three: Refining
After stripping enough of the rock to form a rough shape, the artist begins chasing the sculpture. The chasing process leaves a rough surface, which is then smoothed through the use of other hand tools such as files, grinders, and rarely power tools. The fine tools refine the form and bring out finer details.
Furthermore, the chased stone surface is made smoother with fine sandpaper and washed between each sandpaper application layering process.
Phase Four: Polishing
After fine-tuning and finishing the piece, the piece is then warmed, either with an open fire or a blowtorch, so that multiple layers of wax applied to the sculpture can melt and be absorbed into the stone's surface.
The wax is buffed out to produce a shine and enhance the depth of color.
