Perlagia Mutyavaviri

Stone Sculptor

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1977, Perlagia Mutyavaviri began sculpting at the age of 24 and soon joined the vibrant stone carving culture of the Chitungwiza Arts Center. Working with George Mubayi, an accomplished sculptor with an international reputation who likes to push the boundaries of the Shona art movement, Perla found that “George was very inspiring.  He gave me courage.  He taught me to work on hard stones.  There were no easy tasks for me, so that made me a hard worker.”

One of the most innovative and provocative artists in the Shona sculpture movement, Mutyavaviri uses line, shape and volume to create her abstract forms that radiate elegance and suggest human feelings and relationships. “The shape and form of abstracts broadens my mind.  I can bring any idea I think of out of the stone, I can tell any story.”

Perlagia Mutyavariri is included in private collections and galleries in

Germany, Africa, the Netherlands, UK, Canada and the United States.

2002   Winner  or Kristin Diehl Sculpture Prize, Germany

2004   Award of Merit Young Woman Sculptor Competition, Zimbabwe

2004    Participant “In Praise of Women II’ exhibition touring Europe

2004   Artist-in-Residence  Rice Lake V, Canada

2005   Artist-in-Residence Afrika Museum, The Netherlands

2006   Artist-in-Residence Afrika Museum, The Netherlands

2017   Life In Stone Exhibition Gallery Sur, Carmel, California

Initially the realm of male artists, Perla is one of the most celebrated artists to emerge from the small but growing group of Zimbabwean women carvers with international exposure and critical acclaim for their work. “Women sculptors can be role models for tomorrow’s African women. There is much that can be said through the art form that would otherwise not be seen, said or heard.”

In 2017 Perla met Zimbabwe’s internationally acclaimed female sculptor, Agnes Nyanhongo, whose support and camaraderie has strengthened her confidence in her own unique style.