About Bronson
Sharing A Piece of Zimbabwe with the World

The Artist

Bronson was born in 1981 in Harare, Zimbabwe. He attended Ellis
Robbins Boys’ High School where he excelled in every subject but
took special interest in art history.  Bronson credits his father,
Temba Gengezha, as his greatest inspiration to create beautiful
works. From 1975 until his untimely death in 2001, Temba
Gengezha’s sculptures were immensely popular and celebrated
both locally and abroad for their style and artistry.
As a child, Bronson played with stones on the floor of his father’s workshops but it wasn't
until 1998, at the age of 17, that Bronson began to sculpt stones and hone his artistic vision
under the tutelage of his father. Bronson’s inherent creativity is evident in the skill,
originality and attention to detail which is characteristic of his work and is so often lacking
in the pieces produced by formally trained young people who study the Shona sculpting
tradition in art school. Bronson looks up to sculptors like Chituwa Jemali and Dominic
Benhura because of their unique style.

Bronson is most often inspired by nature, everyday life, and the bonds of family. Presently,
Bronson’s pieces can be found in galleries and private collections in Germany, Canada,
Australia, Holland, Japan, South Africa, and most recently, the United States.
The Art

Bronson travels to the Kwekwe mines located 2 hours outside Harare to hand select raw stones
which are then transported to his home workshop. He prefers to work with colorful stones such
as Kwekwe serpentine, fruit serpentine, verdite, and opal stones. As with most stones
collected for the purpose of sculpting, they are mined without the use of automotive tools.
The raw stones are then transformed using handmade tools such as the traditional mbezo,
rasper, and various handmade chisels and files. No electric tools are used in the creative
process.

Common themes in Bronson’s work include the mother and child, looking to the future,
introspection, and lovers. When talking about his relationship with the medium of stone,
Bronson says, “There is a hidden spirit inside the stone that can be drawn out. Sometimes just
by looking at the stone it can tell a story and guide your hand.”
DONATE
To inquire about a custom order or repairs,
email Bronson Gengezha directly.