Wise Man
Springstone
14" x 8"

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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."