The African Prince in Verdite: Sculptor Chris Tigere Redefines Zim Stone Art

By Valerie Mpundu

While many sculptors choose elders and ancestors, Chris Tigere looked to youth. In green verdite, he found a prince and a fresh voice for Zimbabwean stone sculpture.

He is young. He is proud, and he is smiling. Carved from a single block of deep green verdite, the prince wears a feathered crown and a traditional necklace of claws. His hand rests near his head in a gesture of contemplation or quiet greeting. “The piece took three months to work, breaking the block, carving the face and crown, then weeks of polishing. Hard work, perseverance, commitment, and green verdite rock brought the prince to life,” Chris says.

The Mastery of "Green Gold"

Verdite stone is notoriously dense, hard, and unforgiving. Mined predominantly in northern and eastern Zimbabwe as well as parts of South Africa, stone carvers often refer to it as "green gold" due to the luminous way it captures light once polished.

“Verdite is not easy,” Chris explains. “It fights you. But when it’s done right, the green goes deep. It looks alive.” For generations, the medium has been utilized in Shona stone sculpture to depict tribal elders, spirit birds, and ancestral motifs. However, Tigere chose to utilize this precious medium for a different subject entirely: a young man.

The rich green coloration amplifies every detail the intricate crown, the smooth skin contours, and the subtle smile. With verdite, an artist does not simply carve a face; they carve patience.

A Focus on the Next Generation

In artisan workshops across Zimbabwe, stone carvers are celebrated for depicting village elders, chiefs, and spiritual forebears. Tigere deliberately chose a different path by focusing on youth culture and leadership. “This is the story behind the figure,” he explains. “Often sculptors mostly do older male figures. Well, with this one, I chose a younger generation representing the youth. Hence, a prince being the object of my affection.”

For Chris, the prince does not dwell on historical nostalgia he embodies future potential. “Choosing a young figure was deliberate,” he notes. “Most workshops still carve elders. But the prince is not looking back. He is looking forward. He represents hope, energy, and the next generation of Zimbabwe.”

Dreams, Vision, and Market Recognition

The concept for the sculpture emerged long before the chisel touched the stone, originating in dreams and internal narration. “My figures are mostly inspired by dreams. Certain images come to me either through voices in detailed narration, or they repeatedly appear to me. Visual arts speak loudly, yet silently. With that, I combine creativity for that finer detail.”

He remains optimistic about the trajectory of the local and international visual arts market, “As a visual artist, I would gladly say our type of art is getting the recognition it deserves. It is covering the much-desired ground and has received overwhelming support from clients and people interested in visuals.”

This prince does not need to shout. Preserved in rich green stone, his quiet presence speaks loudly enough.

Chris Tigere verdite stone sculpture