Dominic Benhura

Benhura was born 1968 in Murewa,  northeast of Salisbury (Harare since 1982). His father died before his birth, and raised by his mother. Many early formative years were spent at Chapungu Sculpture Park and he is today regarded as the cutting edge of Zimbabwe sculpture with one-man exhibitions in Zimbabwe, Australia, Belgium, Holland, Germany and America.

Domimic Benhura began his passion for sculpture at the age of ten when he studied under his cousin, Tapfuma Gusta, a Master Sculptor. Dominic sold his first piece professionally to architects at the age of twelve.

His subject matter is wide, including plants, trees, animals and of course, the human experience. Benhura has an exceptional ability to portray human feeling through form rather than facial expression. He continues to lead by experimentation and innovation and has created many memorable works including Euphorbia Tree, “Our H.I.V.” “Friend”, “Swing Me Mama”, “The Dance of the Rainbirds”, and “Lazy Sunday”.

Through his work Benhura explores new ideas, concepts, techniques and methods while communicating simple ideas, such as nature and family, (his children being a main inspiration for his sculptures). Benhura often combines materials such as steel, wire and stone to create a mixed medium.

Dominic’s work has been included in many major exhibitions both in Zimbabwe and internationally. He now works out of his home and is passing down his knowledge and skill to many international artists and local apprentices.

Exhibitions:

Millesgarten Museum,Sweden
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, United Kingdom
EXPO 92, Seville, Spain
Loveland Colorado, USA
Helsinki, Finland 92
Westfalen Park, Dortmund
Shona Sol Gallery, Santa Fe NM, USA
Barbara Ackerman Gallery, Los Angeles, CA,
Kastel Henkenshage, St. Oedenrode, Holland
Kastel Alden Biezen, Bilzen, Belgium
Workshop, Ft. Canning, Singapore
Modern African Art, Berlin, Germany
Chapungu Sculpture Park, Harare, Zimbabwe
Artenium Gallery- Hamburg, Germany
Edinburgh Arts Festival, Scotland ’00
Group Exhibit at Kew Gardens, England with Chapungu Gallery
Group Exhibit at Artspace 2000, England
One-man Exhibition at Kubatana Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia
One-Man Exhibition at Expo 2000, German