The Shona stone sculpture of Zimbabwe is prized in art museums and galleries worldwide. Shona sculptors quarry and select their own stone and carve it using only hand tools. They rarely sketch a work in preparation, preferring to work directly on the stone, and often work more than one piece at a time. Their modern designs are derived from nature and the artists’ vast reserves of cultural traditions. Among the most appealing of these works of art are the Ukama - or "Loving Families" - sculptures, which depict mothers and their children, whole families, and couples embraced in love and dancing with joy.
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