Tambika
The Artists
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FRANK MCEWEN
O.B.E. CHEV DES ARTS ET LETTRES
1908 – 1994
When Zimbabwe was still Rhodesia (it gained it’s independence in 1980), it was decided that a national gallery of art should be built in it’s capital, Salisbury.
In 1954, Frank McEwen was asked to act as a consultant of the design of the gallery, on its permanent collection and future direction. At that time he was working in Paris as the fine arts representative of the British Council. He had lived there since 1926 and as a result McEwen had many valuable contacts and friends within European art circles and important experience necessary to direct a new gallery.
Having introduced the arts audiences of Paris to Henry Moore (organising the first Paris exhibition of the sculptor’s work in 1945) McEwen brought to Rhodesia celebrated art treasures from Europe.
McEwen was influenced by the teachings of Gustave Moreau. These centred on the belief that true art is inherent within an individual, emanating from a person’s spirit and natural desire to create not something that is taught or disciplined. It was on this basis that he was to work in Zimbabwe, gently guiding and ‘defending’ the new sculptors, always aiming to establish environments in which such ‘natural’ work could be created and appreciated.
Despite initial difficulties, McEwen quickly knew that here was enormous potential. Word spread amongst the local people. Within a few years, increasing numbers attended the workshop school, or alternatively brought their own work from areas such as Nyanga and Bulawayo.
In 1971, McEwen organised a critical exhibition in the Musee Rodin in Paris. This show was responsible for the serious assessment of the sculpture of the established art world. Virtually every piece was bought by collectors and art lovers; some of which remain in important collections today.
Other important exhibitions were to follow, chiefly Shona sculptures of Rhodesia, held in 1972 at the I.C.A gallery, London. Also in 1972 a major exhibition was held at the museum of modern art in New York. These received tremendous critical acclaim and marked the beginning of acknowledgement of the sculpture as a serious genre.
Stone Transformation Process - The Artists Perspective
STONE CULTURES OF ZIMBABWE
Artists Biographies