Customer Reviews

Spirits in Stone: The New Face of African Art

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It was interesting to read the other reviews before purchasing this book. I was anxious to read it for myself, since it consistantly got high marks, yet also recieved criticism for not being comprehensive, an apparent dichotomy! Upon opening the book, I read the introduction, which some of the severest critics seem not to have done...for if they had, they would have seen that it clearly states that this is NOT the defintive book on Shona Sculpture, nor would it ever pretend to be! Rather it is an OVERVIEW, and introduction to the people, country, history, geology and culture that have produced this unique artform. The authors also CLEARLY state upfront that this book is THEIR own opinions, and that , as in all art movements, there will be disagreements as to the whens, whos, hows etc. Given this self-appraising clarification from the authors themselves, I found myself at ease reading this book, which has quite a lot of thoughtful and well researched content as well as many beautiful pictures!

I am one of the largest importers of Shona sculpture in the US. [ www.shonagallery.com ]I have traveled to Zimbabwe more than 12 times and have purchased thousands of wonderful sculptures from more than 200 artists directly. I believe this book to be the very best treatment of shona sculpture and its relationship to the Zimbabwean culture that I have seen. The people who put it together seem to have a similar perspective, as I do, on the art form and the people of Zimbabwe. As the country of Zimbabwe and Its people have evolved, so has the art form evolved. It is not an art form exclusive to the first generation artists and their styles. It is a vibrant expressive means of sharing cultural and spiritual feelings through stone. The young artists of Zimbabwe are some of the finest stone sculptors in the world today, and Spirits in Stone is a very inspiring reflection and that fact. It would be a wonderful book to have along with any piece of Shona sculpture one owns, or just a beautiful book to have around.

This is a wondeful book for giving the background in Zimbabwe of the Shona people and a pictographic essay of Zimbabwe which feeds into the Shona sculpture. However, this is not an academic study, not does it give comprehensive biographies of each major Shona sculptor. In its favor, it shows a closeness to the people and an understanding of their history and daily life. It also does have an extensive listing of sculptors which is helpful.

I have been involved with the export of Shona Sculpture for over 4 years now through our website zuluexclusive.com and was given this book on a trip to the States last year. It certainly describes everything about shona sculpture in great detail and shows many beautiful pictures. We recommend this book to everyone that we supply sculpture to. If you have any questions about Shona Sculpture we would love to hear from you heather@zuluexclusive.com

This is the best book I've seen about Zimbabwe and the artists working there. These wonderful photos and great stories about the people and their culture as well as the incredible art they produce in stone - Shona Sculpture - are conveyed brilliantly in this oversize, full color work. Kudos to the publisher, incredibly put together!

This year for the third time I followed a sculpture workshop by a Zimbabwian artist called Samuel Masakwa. Teh reason for me to buy this book was to learn more about the background of this form of art. And for that it's a great book. It tells the history of Zimbabwe and of Shona art, the artists and how they consider their art form, the frequently useds themes (gods, animals, family etc.) For me it was a very valuable book, nicely illustrated as well and next year when Samuel Masakwa comes back to Holland to give his workshop, I will attend it differently, because I know much more about this art form and I will let the stone speak more to me.

Els de Bruijn

The narrative reading reflect the spiritual beliefs of the Shona People, plus their close bonds with nature and spirits past from Zimbabwe.

Through the eye of the camera, an array of flawless and excellently crafted sculpture is displayed, allowing the viewer to visually experience the artist's protrayal of spirits possessed in the stone from animal to man or woman in different guises.

An absolute joy to read.

A beautiful photographic journey through Zimbabwe, but a miserable account of the authentic Zimbabwe Sculpture Movement that has taken the world by storm in the last few decades. The text is blatantly sensationalized as a tool for selling mass produced curio sculptures from the galleries owned by the authors. They seem to have written a fictional account of Shona history and spirituality solely for the purpose of over-dramatizing the spiritual essence of the stone sculpture movement. Such false representation reeks of greedy marketeering for the sole purpose of personal gain. However, the photographs alone may be worth the cover price, but don't expect much more.

Although there were some african sculptures presented, there was a great number of pictures of artists and african scenery. I would have liked to have seen more artwork or less book.