Story by Zanele Ndlovu
IN a small workshop nestled in Thorngroove, Bulawayo, a team of passionate creatives is transforming clay into artwork which ranges from kitchenware to decorative vases and plates.
Each piece is individually designed and handcrafted with passion and style to create a unique product. These artists do not just mould ceramics, they mould stories.
Inspired by Zimbabwe’s rich wildlife and cultural heritage, much of their artwork prominently features bold depictions of the Big Five alongside traditional patterns drawn from Shona and Ndebele artistic motifs.
Among the team is a female painter, Marion Moyo, who stands confidently in a male-dominated space, proving that creativity knows no gender.
“When I arrived, I was told the company still existed. I had left my pieces at the art gallery and had come to collect my money. That’s how I ended up here. I had studied at Mzilikazi and, though I had never drawn on ceramics before, only canvas, I passed the interview. I was the only woman among 33 men in the art production industry. But I never felt intimidated. I challenged myself to stand out. Art and pottery are my passion; they keep me going,” she said.
Colin Mpofu, a highly experienced and decorated artist, says art is more than his profession, it’s his identity.
“First of all, we are given concepts, and then I express them in a way that someone can easily understand, depending on the colours that are wanted. Sometimes they can make demands, like they want certain colours and variations, hence I sit down and get cracking on it. Each piece can take me about two weeks, and then I hand it over to glazing. This is my life.
“I am passionate about art. I joined ceramics in 1995, so that is about 29 years. I could say I have spent my whole life here. With this work, we can take our kids to school and support the family through this art. Apart from this, I do canvas art to supplement my income,” he noted.
For Shelton Sibanda, sculpture began as an internship that organically transformed into a full-time career, turning his initial training into a lifelong profession.
“I started doing this when I was at Mzilikazi, when I was still in high school. Then in 2019, I went to Mzilikazi, that is where I learnt fine art. But I later discovered that there is ceramic sculpture, so that is when I decided to do ceramic sculpture, since it does not have as much competition as drawing. I started the course in 2019 and finished in 2021, so I can say I have been doing this for three to four years. The ideas just pop up from my head, inspired by nature and animals, and I love to do the monkey because it is playful and expressive,” he said.
Their workshop has become more than a workplace, it’s a space for mentorship, income, and preserving cultural identity through creative expression.
