Elisha Rangwani

I was born 15/06/1978 in Mazowe ,Zimbabwe.  I am the sixth born in a family of eight, but I am the only one in the family who is made the profession of sculpting.

My father was managing a mine in Chiweshe, and as a young boy, I started helping in the mine collecting stones ,checking them on cracks, loading, and delivering to customers was my daily business. I also started working as a miner at  the claim.  Chiweshe is still very well known for its Opal and Cobalt stone supply

Around 2002, I came into contact with Manjengwas, who helped me teach me tricks of the sculpting.

At the age of 27 I found it about time to start my own place to work and begin selling them at Tengenenge. I had a great time producing and selling my art pieces in the presence of people like Bernard Matemera, Manzi family and many other professional sculptors.

After a few, I felt I had to widen my view in sculpting and moved from Tengenenge to Chitungwiza. At those days, you had several art centres to work, but you had to apply and proof your skills.

This was around 2011. At first, I worked outside the art centre. I worked hard and improved my technic a lot and after a few years the community center ( the Chitungwiza art centre ) allowed me to become part of them and I started working inside their premises.

I keep on extending my vision to sell my sculptures and improve my work.
I am frequently visiting art exhibitions in Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Kenia.
With ASSIEA I am organizing art workshops in international schools.

Now a days I am not only making my own art but also started making sculptures in commission. The largest sculpture I made sofar was also a commission piece, a crocodile, of over 4 meters in length. I not only made it but can proudly say I also delivered it by my on truck to the client in Kenia.

With my own truck I am also buying and delivering stones to many fellow artist in Zimbabwe.

I came to know Bas Nijssen of BANY at my early days in Chitungwiza. He bought many pieces from me over the years and in 2024 he asked me to come to The Netherlands to help him at their private sculpture garden Beeldentuin B&N in Loenen. I not only helped them in the Beeldentuin but they also showed me around in their beautiful country and we visited many museums.  I was also offered the opportunity to assist with he workshops where many Dutch people attended. Several people asked me to make special sculptures for them.