Once again the sculptors from New Xade and Kacgae settlements came together through the Ministry of Basic Education of Botswana, for their fifth workshop in Kang Village, Botswana.
Old wood tells us stories. In the ever-changing natural world, living trees are silent observers, responding to sun, wind, wild creatures, moisture from beneath the soil, and replenishing rain. Quietly, they shape themselves. I think of them biding their time, storing up tales of what happens in their surroundings. One day, when they succumb to the natural forces around them, trees fall to the ground and become a new feature in the landscape. Their trunks, limbs and roots are ready to share their years of rich experience. The wood sculptor becomes their confidant, their biographer, or, perhaps their ghost writer.
I have lived and worked in Zimbabwe and Botswana for 40 years as a full time sculptor, the last 17 years as a trainer with indigenous Hambakushu and San wood sculptors in Botswana.
In March 2022 I moved to Saskatoon in Canada where I am continuing with my sculpture work using local Canadian woods.
Creative Wood Sculpture Workshops
Kurika Diakuwa and Christiane Stolhofer
Wood Sculpture Workshop in 2016 at the Maun Technical College in Maun, Botswana.
I am grateful having worked with the talented Hambukushu and San sculptors of Botswana.
Sculptors from New Xade and Kacgae settlements are looking at their root materials.
Wood Sculpture Workshop in 2020 in Maun, at OSET Centre (Out Of School Education And Training) Ministry of Basic Education of Botswana.
Qadi Dodo working on his piece, in front the sculpture of Xlamkwa Karena
Wood Sculpture Workshop in 2021 at New Xade settlement in Botswana.