Sylvester Mubayi at Venice Biennale 2017

19th March 2018

We are delighted that senior sculptor Sylvester Mubayi was chosen to represent Zimbabwe at the 2017 Venice Biennale. Sylvester was one of four artists whose work filled the Zimbabwe Pavilion. Logistical and financial support came from the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Sylvester Mubayi with one of his sculptures
World-famous Zimbabwean sculptor Sylvester Mubayi

Sylvester Mubayi is the most famous living artist from the so-called ‘first-generation’ of Zimbabwe’s ‘Shona sculpture’ art movement. Other first generation sculptors still alive are Edward Chiwawa, Josiah Manzi and Ephraim Chaurika.

Zimbabwean artist Sylvester Mubayi

Sylvester Mubayi

Sculptor

Sylvester was a venerated artist, one of the ‘first generation’ of Zimbabwean sculptors. His life and work was guided by Shona culture and beliefs, and as an elder he taught and advised the younger members of his community through metaphor and storytelling.

See artist's work