OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — ZIMBABWE 210. 7-PIECE NATURAL NATIVITY
This hand-carved wood Nativity contains 7 pieces: Joseph with a staff, Mary holding baby Jesus, three wise men, a sheep and a donkey. The unstained woods are jacaranda and poplar. The tallest pieces measure 6.25 inches tall.
The set is made by Joseph Marufu, a Shona sculptor. He was born in Beatrice, Zimbabwe in 1974 and started carving in 1997. Joseph works in stone and wood, producing animals, Nativities, family circles, and abstracts. Joseph was born with a genetic disorder so his skin produces little melanin pigment; thus, he is referred to as an albino in Zimbabwe. The disorder means that he works indoors in poorly lit conditions, whereas most Shona sculptors carve in natural daylight and have a tremendous advantage from the natural light when working with wood and stone shading and texture. In spite of his disability, Joseph produces quality Africanized versions of the birth of Christ.
Zimbabwe is currently hit with staggering economic conditions--in 2007, inflation in Zimbabwe exceeds 8,000% and unemployment exceeds 75%.
The set is made by Joseph Marufu, a Shona sculptor. He was born in Beatrice, Zimbabwe in 1974 and started carving in 1997. Joseph works in stone and wood, producing animals, Nativities, family circles, and abstracts. Joseph was born with a genetic disorder so his skin produces little melanin pigment; thus, he is referred to as an albino in Zimbabwe. The disorder means that he works indoors in poorly lit conditions, whereas most Shona sculptors carve in natural daylight and have a tremendous advantage from the natural light when working with wood and stone shading and texture. In spite of his disability, Joseph produces quality Africanized versions of the birth of Christ.
Zimbabwe is currently hit with staggering economic conditions--in 2007, inflation in Zimbabwe exceeds 8,000% and unemployment exceeds 75%.