The son of Malawian immigrants, Josiah Manzi belongs to the first generation of Zimbabwean sculptors, part of the Tengenenge artist community. He began as a self-taught sculptor, quickly developing his own distinctive style, and participated in several international exhibitions, but despite his success he decided to remain and live and work in Tengenenge. The world of Manzi’s sculptures is a microcosm of bizarre subjects that look like the result of a genetic disaster, but the characters are not frightening, their soft round shapes radiating serenity and inviting the viewer to caress them, revealing the artist’s sense of humor.
