Dominic Benhura
Encyclopedia
Dominic Benhura is a Zimbabwe
an sculptor.
Benhura was born in Murewa
, to the northeast of Harare
. His father died before his birth, and he was raised by his mother. As he was an excellent student, it was suggested that he be sent to Harare for further studies. His uncle had a home in the suburb
of Tafara, and Benhura went to live there at the age of ten; he lived with his cousin Tapfuma Gutsa
, already a well-known sculptor. Benhura began polishing his cousin's sculptures, but soon began carving himself, making small offcuts before moving onto large stone. He sold his first piece at twelve.
Despite having no formal training, Benhura turned to sculpting full time upon the finish of his schooling, showing his work at the Chapungu Sculpture Park
for the first time in 1987. He joined the resident artist program there in 1990, staying until acquiring a home in Athlone, Harare, in 1995. Through the program he worked on larger pieces; he also began traveling during this period, attending workshops in Botswana
, the United States
, Belgium
, the Netherlands
, Denmark
, and Germany
. He began to add metal to his stone sculptures.
Benhura is considered to be part of the second generation of Zimbabwean stonecarvers.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an sculptor.
Benhura was born in Murewa
Murewa
Murewa, also known as Murehwa or Mrewa is a village in Zimbabwe 75 kilometers northeast from the capital of Harare, at the road to Tete . It is situated almost 1400 m above sea level. In 2002, the number of inhabitants was 8398. Public and private buildings are simple. "Growthpoint" and village...
, to the northeast of Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
. His father died before his birth, and he was raised by his mother. As he was an excellent student, it was suggested that he be sent to Harare for further studies. His uncle had a home in the suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Tafara, and Benhura went to live there at the age of ten; he lived with his cousin Tapfuma Gutsa
Tapfuma Gutsa
Tapfuma Gutsa is a Zimbabwean sculptor.A native of Harare, Gutsa was studied sculpture with Cornelius Manguma at the Driefontein Mission School, later becoming the first Zimbabwean recipient of a British Council award...
, already a well-known sculptor. Benhura began polishing his cousin's sculptures, but soon began carving himself, making small offcuts before moving onto large stone. He sold his first piece at twelve.
Despite having no formal training, Benhura turned to sculpting full time upon the finish of his schooling, showing his work at the Chapungu Sculpture Park
Chapungu Sculpture Park
The Chapungu Sculpture Park is a sculpture park in Msasa, Harare, Zimbabwe, which displays the work of Zimbabwean stone sculptors. Its was founded in 1970 by Roy Guthrie, who was instrumental in promoting the work of its sculptors worldwide...
for the first time in 1987. He joined the resident artist program there in 1990, staying until acquiring a home in Athlone, Harare, in 1995. Through the program he worked on larger pieces; he also began traveling during this period, attending workshops in Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He began to add metal to his stone sculptures.
Benhura is considered to be part of the second generation of Zimbabwean stonecarvers.