Unleashing the Spirit of Stone - Featuring New Sculptures by Gedion Nyanhongo

Scottsdale, AZ, January 09, 2013 --(PR.com)-- African artist continues the cultural tradition of his ancestors, now designated a World Heritage by UNESCO, by creating contemporary masterpieces that are recognized the world over. A Scottsdale art gallery, The Marshall | LeKAE Gallery of Fine Art, will host “Unleashing the Spirit of Stone” featuring new works from internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean stone sculptor Gedion Nyanhongo opening to the public on January 10 during the Scottsdale ArtWalk.

Nyanhongo comes from a long line of stone sculptors. He began learning his craft as a young boy from his father and grandfather and sold his first piece at age 10. Now he has passed the tradition on to his children.

As he works on his sculptures, Nyanhongo says he isn’t fully aware of what he’s creating until he is done.

“When I’m working I cannot see what I am creating. I can only see what doesn’t belong to the sculpture only to wake up from my dream in creating it. I wake up, and I’m like oh wow!”

Each stone has a spirit that is waiting to be released, he says, and it is his job to set it free.

“I’m not a dictator when I’m working,” he said. “I’m there to free or liberate the spirit in the stone.”

Nyanhongo carves his one-of-a-kind masterpieces from stones he personally chooses from African quarries that tell him what they will become. He doesn’t just pick the stone said Nyanhongo. “The stone has to talk to me, has to tell me what it wants to be.”

Currently living in Arizona, Nyanhongo is currently represented by The Marshall | LeKAE on Main Street in Scottsdale. His sculptures can be found in collections all over the world including a life-size zebra at the Phoenix Zoo and two sculptures in the Atlanta Airport.

Using shapes and textures to tell stories and give life to the cold, hard medium, Nyanhongo ultimately unleashes the spirit of the stone into unique sculptures that are beautiful and perfect for in a home or office or out in a garden.

“Unleashing the Spirit of Stone” opens January 10, 2013, 7-9 p.m., at The Marshall | LeKAE Gallery of Fine Art, 7106 East Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ.

The Marshall | LeKAE Gallery of Fine Art represents more than 90 artists of diverse yet complementary genres and styles. The gallery brings world-class artists and their work to the discerning collector and new fine art buyer. The gallery staff has a combined 40 plus years of professional experience in the art industry. Their keen understanding will help experienced and beginning art collectors find, purchase and install beautiful pieces of fine art.