'United Family'

Title: United Family.

Location: Forest Hill, London.

Tag: okumephuna, foresthill, family.

Copyright: Okumephuna Chukwunwikezarramu.

Story: This piece by Gedion Nyanhongo is found in the African Garden of the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, London and it is titled ‘United Family’. Gedion was born in 1967 in Mazarura Village, Nyanga in Zimbabwe. He was a qualified Motor Mechanic before he took on art full time. As a boy Gideon would spend time trying to assist his father in his workshop; this was despite the fact that picking up a hammer was extremely difficult for the young Gedion. Instead of working towards finishing his own small pieces Gedion wanted to work with Claude’s tools and to finish his father’s pieces. Gedion excelled in art and craft at primary school, the lessons he received in the mornings from Claude assisted him in this. Of his father’s work, Gedion enjoyed observing the wood and stone sculptors although Claude was also a gifted blacksmith working on iron tools. At primary school Gedion’s confidence was nurtured by the displaying of his craft and the prizes he received.