Lincon Muteta

Lincon Muteta was born in 1975 in Harare, Zimbabwe. He is the youngest in a family of four. He originates from Mutoko and his totem is “Soko Muhrewa” (Monkey).

He went to secondary school at Morgan High School in Harare and he began   sculpting in 1989 whilst still at school. He worked under the tutelage of Denny Kanyemba, another prominent Zimbabwean sculptor. He was encouraged to go solo and pursue sculpting as a full-time career by his mentor, the late Moses Masaya.

He has a great love for Shona culture and, coupled with his imaginative and innovative ability, has ensured that his work is of the highest standard. This has earned him a following from collectors around the world.

Muteta bases his work on day-to-day events that interest him, and the feelings and emotions of the people around him. The faces and gestures in his work reflect the joys and the sadness experienced by the sprawling population of the Chitungwisa suburb in which he lives.

Muteta has been instrumental in encouraging and teaching younger artists, several of whom are now pursuing solo careers. Muteta’s skills have also been appreciated in Zimbabwe, in particular by Roy Guthrie, the Director of Chapungu Sculpture Park where Muteta was a resident artist from 1996-1997.

When questioned on his motivation for sculpting Muteta states, “I guess God gave me the courage and talent to sculpt to bring back our vanishing cultural heritage for the sake of future generations.”

York's Shona Gallery is proud to present Muteta's "Lonely." Click below for more information.