Sculptor Sylvester Mubayi dies

Zim Now Writer

One of Zimbabwe's finest artists who belonged to the famous First Generation sculptors, Sylvester Mubayi, has died.

Mubayi died around 10.30pm past night.

Confirming the death, National Gallery of Zimbabwe Director Raphael Chikukwa, who also worked with the sculptor as Curator at the Venice Biennale in 2017, expressed shock at the death of the artist.

"It is with sad heart to inform you about the death of one of the last surviving 1st Generation sculptors, Sylvester Mubayi. He joined the ancestors last night around 10:30pm," said Chikukwa.

The NGZ director said he had learnt a lot from Mubayi.

"As the Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe who worked with Sekuru Mubayi for the Zimbabwe Pavilion at the Venice Biennial as his Curator I learned a lot from Sekuru Shumba Mubayi," he said.

Chikukwa added: "The National Gallery of Zimbabwe Board, Management, and the Zimbabwean art community in general is in pain now.

“Another Veteran Artists gone, and his work stands tall in the front of the gallery, sculpture garden and in our permanent collection. Sekuru Mubayi, you have gone, and we are blessed with what you left us. RIP Shumba Nyamuzihwa,” said Chikukwa in his statement.

Funeral arrangements for the late Mubayi had not yet been put in place as the family was waiting for consultations with other relatives but mourners are gathered at House Number 10990, Nehanda Road, Zengeza 4 in Chitungwiza.

Mubayi was born in 1942 in the Chihota Communal lands near Marondera, Mashonaland East Province.

He worked as a tobacco grader after leaving school before moving to the capital city Salisbury (now Harare) in 1966 to work at the Chibuku Breweries. He joined the Tengenenge Sculpture Community in 1967 as one of its first members, and later worked at the Workshop School in Vukutu, Nyanga that was founded by Frank McEwen, the first director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Mubayi, who was named in the top ten sculptors in the world by The Guardian in 1991, also served as an artist-in-residence at the Chapungu Sculpture Park and his works are flaunted in several world museums, galleries, universities, and public places.