Tributes pour in for Roy Guthrie

Audrey Galawu

Tributes continue to pour in for the late visionary artist and Chapungu Sculpture Park Founder Roy Guthrie who passed on at the age of 89.

Guthrie established Chapungu Sculpture Park in 1980, turning it into a sanctuary for Zimbabwean stone sculpture and a platform for artists to gain global acknowledgement.

His work surpassed borders, bringing Zimbabwean art to audiences internationally.

The Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Kirsty Coventry has described the death of Guthrie as a huge loss to the arts family in Zimbabwe.

“Roy lived for the joy, growth, and passion of seeing artists live their dreams. He and his wife supported so many artists over the years. He will be sorely missed. We hope he will rest in peace.”

The Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Raphael Chikukwa stated that Guthrie’s death is a great loss to the Zimbabwean art community.

“The list is countless of those that came under Chapungu Sculpture Park. On behalf of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, its Board and the entire team, we feel the pain and our hearts are with Roy Guthrie’s family. To Marceline Mushore, as NGZ, we mourn with you (se gallery tinochema nemi), your loss is our loss. Our memory bank is gone and we cherish all the memories he shared with us. Guthrie made Zimbabwe his home and promoted Zimbabwean Sculpture from the bottom of his heart.”

“A promoter of Zimbabwean Sculpture who made sure artists benefit from their work. Many later artists have left their children with houses and farms, Guthrie helped many artists to support their families. Guthrie did countless Zimbabwean Sculpture exhibitions in America, Germany, France, the Netherlands and South Africa. The Chapungu Sculpture Park owner will not only be remembered here in Zimbabwe but across America, Europe and South Africa,” he concluded.

The Board of Trustees of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, the Directorate and Staff, and the Friends of the Gallery, also extended their condolences to the Guthrie family, Chapungu Sculpture Park Family and the visual arts industry upon the passing away of Guthrie.

“Guthrie established African Art Promotions Inc. in 1970, naming the operation Chapungu Sculpture Park and was instrumental in the expanding acclaim of Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture across the Americas, Europe, South Africa and at home in Zimbabwe.

“Under his oversight; the careers of many First Generation of Sculptors and those in the next generation, benefited from the repertoire which Guthrie had set. Guthrie became a cornerstone of the narrative of Zimbabwean Art, with Chapungu, and all his projects at Doone Estate in Msasa, Harare becoming a keystone of Zimbabwe’s creativity,” the NGZ board said.

From his birth in South Africa, to his death in Zimbabwe, Guthrie was motivated to make art in the Republic thrive, with an inalienable zeal to his last.

He is survived by his wife, Marceline Mushore.