Tonderai Mashaya was born in 1977 in Nyanga, a beautiful mountainous region near the Mozambique border with a strong sculpting tradition. The Mashaya family is one of the most respected ‘sculpting clans’ in Zimbabawe.

After he left school Tonderai apprenticed with Gideon Nyanhongo, a second generation artist with an international reputation. For two years he worked alongside this master carver learning to read stone and perfect his carving skills. He prefers to work in Springstone, Opal and Lemon Opal, as these are hard stones that demand more of the artist.

Tonderai is inspired by the “human family” and largely chooses to sculpt people and depict their character and emotions. His sculptures, which are truly three-dimensional, exhibit fluid, dynamic lines and show a beautiful sense of proportion and balance.

Tonderai works from his home studio in Zimre Park, Harare. Several younger members of the extended family have had the opportunity of apprenticing with Tonderai, who chose not to join the family sculpting cooperative.

Tonderai’s sculptures have been exhibited nationally and internationally. He was an artist-in-residence at the Chapungu Sculpture Park in Harare in 1996, 1997 and 2000. He has participated in group exhibitions at Kirstenbosch (Cape Town), Kew Gardens (London) and in galleries in the Netherlands, UK, USA, Germany, South Africa, Singapore and Canada.

Tonderai has been represented in Canada since 2006.