Tafadzwa Tandi

“I was born to become a stone sculptor; it’s in my blood. I grew up with the sound of iron on stone ringing in my ears, breathing in the dust of stone every day. The blood of art runs in our veins because all my five brothers are in this same profession.”

Tafadzwa was born in Murehwa, Zimbabwe in 1980. He is the grandson of first-generation sculptor Gabriel Tandi and son of second-generation sculptor Thomas Tandi, so he is the third generation of his family to follow this noble profession.

Tafadzwa started sculpting when he was nine. His father had a big order from a client, and Tafadzwa begged him to help but his father doubted he was capable. Later, having proved himself, his father gave Tafadzwa tools and a small piece of stone to produce his first carving. “My father and I were very proud of it and I kept it and I have got it to this day. Each time I put my eyes on it I feel good because I always see my beginning in stone.”

From that time on, Tafadzwa worked with his father during the school holidays. After finishing his O-levels in 1998, he joined his father as a full-time sculptor, never doubting that this is the course his life would take. Towards the end of 1998 he moved to Chitungwiza near Harare, seeking greater exposure for his work; he
joined an arts centre there and has been working there ever since. Tafadzwa’s work has been exhibited internationally and together with his brothers, he participated in group exhibitions in China and America in 2010 and 2011 respectively.