Colleen Madamombe

Colleen Madamombe was widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe's most talented and sought-after female sculptors whose work showcased themes of womanhood, motherhood and tribal Matriarchy. For three years in a row, she had won the award for Best Female Artist of Zimbabwe. Colleen was born in 1964 in Salisbury, now Harare, Zimbabwe and unfortunately, she passed away in 2009. She was one of the Zimbabwe's few female sculptors. Colleen obtained a diploma in Fine Arts at the BAT Workshop School at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe where she studied in 1985-1986. In 1987, she joined her husband Fabian Madamombe at Chapungu Sculpture Park, where she began experimenting with stone sculpture for three years and formed a close relationship with Agnes Nyanhongo, another well-known female sculptor. Colleen became known for her depictions of Shona women and their culture in her work which became her speciality. Colleen's work has been featured in a number of Chapungu exhibitions around the world, including "Custom and Legend – A Culture In Stone" (Kew Gardens, London, UK 2000).