“Love Dance”
As out-going Chairman of the prestigious Armed Forces Arts Society, John Ashton is to be presented with a piece of art as a token of appreciation by the Society. Previous gifts have been paintings and sculptures by British artists or the members themselves, but John has other ideas. Long a fan of Zimbabwean Shona sculpture, he has cast his eye before over the diverse collection on display twice a year at Fillingdon Fine Art. This year, with a mandate to choose his own gift, he swooped and chose the mighty but beautiful 41kilogram springstone “Love Dance” by veteran sculptor Tago Tazvitya. “I am delighted” beamed John when his choice was sanctioned by the committee. He has the blessing too of his wife Hilary who came with him to the current exhibition to help him choose, and together they look forward to setting up the piece as a permanent feature in their garden.
The AFAS was established in 1925 and membership is open to serving or retired members of any rank of the three services and their spouses. The Society is honoured to have HRH The Prince of Wales as its’ Patron and occasional exhibitor. The 80th Annual Exhibition of the Society is on at the Mall Galleries in London this year from 14 – 19th July.
Tago Tazvitya was born in Chegutu, Mashonaland, Zimbabwe in 1954. He is a self-taught artist and is Chairman of the Chitungwiza Arts Centre. As a senior figure in the local artistic community, he commands great respect from the other members of the Centre. Since 2007 he has been chosen by the National Arts Council to be a judge for the annual sculpture Merit Awards. Tago has exhibited abroad in Australia, Germany and UK.
Tago Tazvitya
