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Zata Deswage is the twenty First artist to be featured as part of the Woza Moya Artist Wall, and his work will be featured for the month of May 2023. The Artwork is for sale and people can bid for the artwork online: tttps://www.wozamoya.co.za/auctions/ Bidding starts at R1200 there are two works on aution.
Zata was born in Zimbabwe in 1983 and grew up in a rural village just outside of Harare, he was raised very near Dombashova caves, where there was a flourishing tourist market, and many artists and carvers made an income by selling traditional wood sculptures to the tourists. Zata’s grandfather was one of the carvers who sold his sculptures there, his 6 uncles were also involved in carving and also carved wooden yokes for oxen, cooking spoons, plates and the more detailed African sculptures, from wood harvested from nearby forests. Even the tools for carving were handmade wood and iron tools made by his family. Zata, his cousin and brother became involved in the work and helped with the fine finishing and polishing of the work.
A miraculous thing happened one day when Zata was 12 years old he found a dead branch, what he calls “driftwood” he picked it up and when he “looked into” the shape and grain of that piece of driftwood, he saw a shape/form that resembled a fish inside. Independently of his uncles, he explored a different approach, working with the driftwood and allowing it to “speak” and then revealing the shape that had spoken to him. This was a radical departure from the traditional work done by his family. He also began to understand the value of not sacrificing living trees for the tourist based income, but rather to work in harmony with our precious trees and forests, harvesting only the dead /drift wood that was laying on the forest floor.
His unusual sculptures were spotted by a collector, who ordered 10 more sculptures from him, and this marked the beginning of his journey as a wood artist.
His life became verry tough when his father who had been absent came back into his life and took him away from his grandmother who had been his primary caregiver, and decided that truck driving would be a better career, this was a very difficult time for him as his heart was set on carving, but eventually after a few lost years in education he returned home and continued with his art.
The journey to find the right piece of wood, is another story, as wood is sourced in Zimbabwe, where he walks for kilometres inside the indigenous forests to find the right pieces and then carries them back to a place that is accessible by bakkie and then transporting this all back to Durban, where the creation begins.
During Covid with the shut down of markets to feed his family , Zata took a job in a factory where he was cutting wood for furniture, unfortunately there was an accident and 3 of his fingers were cut off, this was a traumatic period for him as his ability to provide was again stopped, his hand was slow to heal and after two months it still bled when he tried to carve or hold a piece of wood, and even though he tried to carve and to teach his brother, it seemed impossible that he would ever be able to carve and do what he loved doing. This was a very difficult time for him both physically and mentally. It was out of desperation and frustration that he slowly started to carve again, again it was terribly frustrating as everything took longer to do and small bread and butter carvings took days instead of hours. He still covers his hand with a glove, as talking about the loss is still too difficult and too raw, but his positive outlook and amazing attitude that he will overcome this disability is commendable.
Zata’s is a wonderful story of the triumph of the human spirit, of bravery and courage.
Sculpture of Cow heads : these works were chosen as they represent a deep significance in all African cultures. In Shona society this is common and in most cases the money will be used to buy a cattle. When a young man possesses cattle he will be on the road to manhood. These cattle will prove their worth later when they provide support and security to the young man.
A family without cattle in Shona society is like a house built on sand or a house build of cards which soon crumbles. Indeed, cattle are the enduring foundation of traditional Shona society.
Cattle have a social role and form an effective bridge to connect relatives and give meaning to friendship. If a man decides to slaughter an ox or a cow just for the sake of meat, you will find that the whole extended family will be present and all the men of the village will help to skin the ox. After skinning, the men roast the meat. Lungs are usually given to grandchildren and nephews of the owner, pancreas to the herd boy and other parts to certain other people. The bulk of the meat is distributed to the relatives and friends so that in the end the owner of the ox may remain with less than half. This illustrates a Shona proverb: “Ukama igasva hunozadziswa nokudya” meaning that verbal friendship is not enough, true friendship is proved by free meals and gifts. Taken from ; https://zimfieldguide.com/harare/cattle-life-blood-shona-society
Zata is at the Shongweni market on Saturdays. Thanks to Christine Standeven the owner of the market who has been a great pillar of support to Zata over this difficult period.
We would like to thank the 100% Foundation for coming on board for an ongoing sponsorship and making this monthly Artist wall event possible.
Woza Moya is the economic empowerment project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.
Shop opening times:
8am -4pm Woza Moya Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust 26 Old Main Road Hillcrest
9am -5pm Woza Moya Windermere centre
Saturdays 8- 2 HACT and 9-2 Windermere
His work can be purchased from: Woza Moya-Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, African ART Centre, KZNSA and Ebonycurated in Cape Town.
#wozaartistswall #Zata Deswage
