Passmore Mashaya

Passmore Mashaya

As a child, Zimbabwe artist Passmore Mashaya was surrounded by beautiful scenery.
His adaptation to this great natural beauty of the town of Nyanga, where he grew up,
significantly influenced his artistic passion for telling stories through stone.
Mashaya is an artist of growing reputation. Sculpting professionally since 1990, his
works have been purchased by collectors in Canada and the United States, Germany,
Holland, and England. His piece entitled “Princess” was purchased by Buckingham
Palace.
People are enthralled watching him at work. They see him start out with a rough piece of
stone. Leaving his hands, it has been transformed into an artful masterpiece, telling its
own authoritative story. Truly, Mashaya’s powerful imagination depicts life in stone.
The sculptor works in every type of Zimbabwe stone. From the likes of red sandstone to
soapstone, cobalt to dolomite, black iron serpentine to springstone and wood…….the list
is endless.
Mindful of human relationships, some of his conceptions have such titles as Brothers,
Lovers, Family, Mother and Child, and Togetherness. Family Creation was purchased in
2009 by the Town of Ajax and is located in the McLean Centre. Made of serpentine
stone, it stands 43” tall and 27” wide. Fitting for a community and recreation centre, the
piece has human images carved into the stone that depict the themes of family,
celebration, play, diversity and unity.
Mashaya has long been surrounded by artistic family members, including his wife Lillian,
who is also a sculptor. His mother was a strong influence in his life, constantly re-telling
stories of her uncle, the late renowned sculptor Moses Mashaya. Other creative
influences were his cousin Agnes Nyanhongo and her husband Joseph Munemo.
Nyanhongo has been described as one of the most prominent and successful of
Zimbabwe’s sculptors. She is considered by those knowledgeable in the field to be the
most accomplished female sculptor.

Clearly, Mashaya has been inspired by masters who blazed the trail ahead of him. Now
he strives to help future generations accomplish their artistic goals as he instructs
apprentices in his community. Some are as young as 10 years old.
Although he has traveled to various countries exhibiting his works, Mashaya never strays
far from his roots. Proceeds from his sculptures go back to his community to help many
needy children and older adults who look up to him both as a role model and a provider.
Mashaya is the President of a new organization “NYENYEDZI (Star) Art Association
Zimbabwe founded in 2013. This organization is established to help support and give
people the courage they need to move forward. Mashaya helps to mobilize and develop
the artistic talents of upcoming artists in the Association. His goal for these artists is to
start their own association and leave a legacy for the next generation to follow.
Clients, Art dealers and curators interested in obtaining any of Mashaya’s one-of-a-kind
stone sculptures are invited to contact the Gallery, for more details.