Batanai Artworks is a Gallery of exceptional African art from Southern Africa. We provide the highest quality stone sculpture crafted by master sculptors - artwork with investment value. www.batanai.co.za
Stone produces lasting quality artwork and has been used by the Shona people for hundreds of years. Some discoveries date back to 1200 AD. Stone is an extremely demanding material to work with, and harder stones produce exceptional work.
Although the Stone Sculptures are fundamentally influenced by the artists’ cultural and spiritual beliefs, the sculptures themselves are not specifically used for either ritualistic or ceremonial purposes. The stone sculpture has no functional purpose and is purely decorative. The sculptures have a commanding visual presence, even when they are of a relatively small size.
Simply put, the stone carvings can be broadly categorised into three types: Abstract, Animals and People.
Abstracts
The Abstracts are contemporary interpretations of objects, animals or people that form part of the artist’ everyday life, including strong spiritual influences.
These abstract styles represent the real cultural expressions of the Shona as a people, at the same time as the importance of love, children and family is also a strong influencing theme.
In Shona culture, life closely revolves around deep family relationships. Everyone shares with one another and peace is found through the love of all.
“Ukama” – Togetherness - offers a symbolic reminder that the simple love of a parent for a child, or neighbour to neighbour, can be a powerful adhesive that holds entire cultures together.
Whatever the nature of the abstract carving, all are highly emotive and make an immediate visual impact.
People - Real life
This category is more modern and represents a different approach from the abstract tradition. These “real life” carvings capture people and their features and expressions with amazing detail and accuracy.
Animals – Real Life
Animals are popular inspirations for carving. Southern Africa has a wide diversity of wildlife and presenting an obvious choice for all artists.
Only the truly exceptional artist has the ability to capture these creatures in all their glory and in the finest details of life.
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