Finding meaning and value

CARVING AND VALUE

: Heritage craftsmanship and the contemporary worLd

Heritage Craft & the Value of Art 

Experience of World Carving

Stone carving is often described as "niche", a rare art form in the 21st century. However, craftsmanship, the work of the human hand, holds a crucial, intrinsic value within the development of the mass marketplace and the onset of AI. As a representation of human authenticity, craft objects express love, beauty, and care. The skill of the artisan sustains tradition with their own originality and innovation in a fluid interpretation of craft; its here, the distinct and intricate landscape of collective individuality shines within a context of legacy. 

Stone carving and craft preserve cultural heritage and traditions that connect us to root, ancestoral values and concepts. In Shona stone carving,  for example, the unity of the present self can be conveyed as one face which is often described as two halves, two people kissing. Furthermore, it is important to recognize the global value of craft as a catalyst for change and for human union. The renewed relevance of emergent nations upholding the preservation of localized artistry creates a state of global harmony. 

To develop the next Michaelangelo, knowledge must be kept and passed from generation to generation. Key institutions and apprenticeship programs are necessary for understanding the intricacies of the material and tools. Its important to learn from the masters through replication and personal interaction. Investment in craft is not simply luxury, its an empowerment of human principles and enduring beauty.  

The eye, the ear, and the nose of Michaelangelo's David, cast carvings in Portland limestone. June 2023. // These carvings are examples of European tradition, each using a single carving tool: the point (nose), the claw (eye), and the bull nose (ear) create a variety of textures on the pieces. 
Zimbabwe Opal Stone, "Mother and Sun", 2019// In my signature abstracted body style & sanded, back view. 
White Opal Stone, "Pillar of my life", 2019 // a progress image of the work in a traditional Shona sculpture style // Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. 

PICTURED AT TOP OF PAGE: 
"Artisan", 2025, Portland Limestone/ 23.5k gold/ Lustrework painting// the work is a commentary on value reflecting on the comedian taped banana and the importance of craftsmanship. 

The female form