Colleen Madamombe, 1964–2009
Born in 1964, Colleen Madamombe holds an inspirational place within the Zimbabwean stone sculpture movement as one of the very few women sculptors — and often regarded as the finest among them.
Her work brings new depth to Zimbabwean stone sculpture through her dedication to a consistent and powerful theme. Madamombe uses her technical and artistic skill to highlight the unique qualities of Shona women, while also addressing the inequities that shape their lives and social status.
Madamombe’s subject matter is deeply rooted in the traditional roles of Shona women. Her dynamic figures — full of energy, movement, and emotional presence — are distinguished by the contrast between rough, textured surfaces and smooth, polished areas. This interplay gives her sculptures a striking vitality and makes her one of Zimbabwe’s most compelling artistic voices.
She explained: “I am inspired by the activity of women and I work hard to show this in my sculpture. In recent pieces I have used natural areas of the stone with rough workings to emphasise this movement — the texture follows the rhythms of the body. This contrasts with the more finished areas of the face and hands.”
source: “Life in Stone, Zimbabwean Sculpture”, Olivier Sultan, 1994