July 12 – September 25, 2019
Ukama Gallery, Granville Island
Ukama Gallery is honoured to welcome Rufaro Ngoma, an acclaimed sculptor from Harare (Zimbabwe). Known internationally for his whimsical, elegant sculptures carved out of the hardest stones, Rufaro Ngoma is returning to Canada.
During his residency at Ukama Gallery, Rufaro will be sculpting from raw stone, showcasing his artistic process, and giving art enthusiasts on Granville Island a rare opportunity to experience Zimbabwean stone carving first-hand.
“I was born an artist, it is inside me, it forces me to sculpt,” says Rufaro “My art is very important to me. It is my message to the world, a universal language that anyone can understand, and it appeals to everyone. Through the language of stone, I can express love, promote peace and share my cultural beliefs.”
With his work in figurative sculpture, Rufaro draws on the rich traditions of African cultures. The human family, the interconnectedness between man and nature and the wisdom of ancestors are intertwined themes in his work. The stone itself is an important source of inspiration. The artist’s dialogue with the stone is dynamic and ongoing throughout the creative process, with his original concepts subject to inspired change. Please join us at Ukama Gallery to become part of this journey.
Contact the Gallery for more details at 778 379 0666 or gallery@ukama.ca
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Rufaro Ngoma was born in 1981 in Nyanga, a beautiful mountainous region near the Mozambique border with a strong sculpting tradition. He completed both his primary and secondary education at Avila Missionary School, excelling in arts and crafts. While he spent much of his years as a young man herding cattle, playing banjo guitar, and moulding animals with clay, these were simply the preliminary steps in aiding Rufaro to pursue a career in carving stone sculpture.
After he left school, Rufaro apprenticed with his cousin Cephas Mashaya. Cephas introduced him to his family’s sculpting workshop in Harare and in 2002 Rufaro was invited to join them. He continues to be an active member of the workshop.
Although he lives in Harare, Rufaro still visits his original rural home in Nyanga frequently and continues to be inspired by the beauty of the region. From small intimate carvings to towering proclamations of art and beauty, Rufaro’s work is highly sought after internationally and his work is collected by both galleries and private collectors throughout Germany, Holland, the UK, South Africa, Canada and the US.