Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
In a harmonious blend of art and environmental stewardship, a Bindura-based artist is not only making waves with his unique wood carvings but also championing the preservation of endangered hardwood trees.
Lameck Antonio, a 53-year-old resident of Bindura, has carved a niche in the world of wood art.
The artist has dedicated his life to creating intricate and meaningful pieces.
He said, “I was inspired by wood which I used to see in Harare and my grandfather did wood carvings. Then at form four, I went to Harare Polytechnic and did a certificate in wood technology. Then I encountered some artists like Dominic Benhura who were doing stone carvings. That’s when I decided I want to do wood art for life”
Confronted with the hype around forestry conservation and training, Antonio avoids wanton cutting down of trees and supports regeneration through a tree nursery for personal and commercial use.
“We have a project called Go Green, we have many trees and we are concerned about deforestation of hardwood, those who chop trees do not know their value and whether they will revive,” noted Antonio.
Drawing inspiration from everyday life and folklore, Antonio creates pieces that are both visually stunning and culturally significant.
These include his pieces dubbed Dzangaradzimu reAfrica.
His work not only celebrates the beauty of wood but also highlights the importance of protecting our natural resources for future generations.
