The
youngest of eight siblings, Batanai James Suraji was introduced to the art of
sculpture at an early age, by his elder brother.
He continued to sculpt as a hobby until 1983 when he moved to Canon Paterson
Arts and Crafts Centre in Mbare to become a full time artist. Suraji’s work
was exhibited at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in 1991,1992,1994, and 1995;
at the Olympic Games in Auckland, N.Z. and Atlanta, Georgia.
Suraji enjoys working with spring stone, serpentine and opal. "Creative art
is what I enjoy. I carve families, village scenes and try to depict how Shona
people live. When I look at a raw piece of stone it can speak to me. That gives
me guidance as to what to carve."
Wise
Man
Batanai James Suraji
Serpentine
14" x 8"
