Colleen Madamombe

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Born 1964 in Harare. Died 2009

Colleen Madamombe was born in Harare and fast became an established figure amongst the Second Generation of Zimbabwean stone sculptors.  She won the award Best Female Artist of Zimbabwe consecutively over three years and was considered the finest new talents form this country.

The drive and hardworking determination so evident in Colleen Madamombe’s sculpture ensured her own, very individual style and choice of subject matter.  Most apparent in her work are the themes of womanhood-from young girls, through pregnancy and motherhood to the authority of the tribal Matriarch.  These themes provide continuing inspiration and she looked forward to portraying feminine experience through to old age.  She was interested, not just in the emotional, spiritual side to a woman’s life, but also fascinated by the basic physical appearance and movement peculiar to her sex.  This aspect of womanhood she  depicted with clarity and conviction, revealing pride, authority, energy, endeavour, sadness, tenderness, and often humour.  Although a quiet and very private person, she had strong feelings about the changing role of women in Zimbabwe society.  She watched with misgivings as attitudes altered whereas wider opportunities were developing for women, she felt that they were also loosing their positions of traditional respect.  In her view, it was still quite difficult for women to pursue a career in the arts-predominantly through an inherent lack of self-confidence but also because the idea of following one’s own ideas and ambitions, or of pursuing a profession is still alien to many Zimbabwean women; “a lot of women are artists and just don’t realize it- making pots and other things for the home, and not for sale.”

In some of Colleen Madamombe’s early works, she gave importance to seemingly insignificant subjects such as ants bees, butterflies and caterpillars.  Madamombe admits to fascination with the apparent humility of insects- a humility which she felt the human race had lost.  Other creatures, such as the cat and the zebra provided interesting subject material, but this fascination with the smallest of living things seems to have endured; ‘the way ants move in lines particularly.  I love to watch their movement.”  With all these subjects, she watched as closely as possible, but finally carved from a strong mental image and the memories she held of the animal, insect or person.

Madamombe worked predominantly in hard black springstone, often using the outer blanket of the stone and creating many different textures to contrast with the polished surfaces.   Major works include; The Birth, New Maternity Dress,   Proud Of Her Beads and A Burden Too Heavy.  Some of these works, especially The Birth have been considered amongst the finest from Zimbabwe in recent years.  Together with Agnes Nyanhongo, Colleen Madamombe’s work was sent on a world tour which included Germany, Holland, England and the USA.  All exhibitions met with acclaim.

Colleen passed away in 2009.