Considered one of the most prominent and successful of Zimbabwe’s leading sculptors, Agnes has also become one of the most acknowledged and celebrated female artists in all of Africa. Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou are among the known collectors of her work.
The works of Agnes Nyanhongo carry a message of poise, dignity and compassion. They speak at times as a whisper upon the ear, or as a gentle reassuring tap on the shoulder. Even when the subject matter turns openly political or personal, the message is neither invasive nor abrupt. This is not to say, however, that the implicit voice is to be deemed either shy or bashful, in fact quite the contrary. Her message is clear and spoken deliberately with quiet confidence. Truly, to experience her work is to experience her character. Much like her sculpture, Agnes carries a presence that is calming and reassuring, yet poignant and proud. There is a quiet determination and belief carried over in her work—qualities that have guided her career along a purposeful and individual path. This path has earned her widespread critical acclaim and awards while exhibiting her works both nationally and internationally.
Considered one of the most prominent and successful of Zimbabwe’s leading sculptors, Agnes has also become one of the most acknowledged and celebrated female artists in all of Africa. Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou are among the known collectors of her work.
Statement
“I try somehow to express the role women play in society and the way they are being treated—they are still not free.”