"The Drummer" by Zimbabwean artist Godfrey Kututwa is a compelling serpentine stone sculpture that embodies the deep connection between music and visual art in African culture. The piece captures a musician in an expressive stance, head tilted skyward in concentration, hands resting purposefully on a traditional drum. The sculptor's masterful technique is evident in the contrasting textures - smooth, polished surfaces for the figure's skin against the rougher, textured treatment of the clothing and instrument, bringing rhythm to the stone itself.

About The Drummer by Godfrey Kututwa

Created in 2011, this serpentine stone sculpture emerges from Zimbabwe's rich artistic tradition, where the country's very name means "house of stone." Standing 22 inches tall, 6 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, this 21.6-pound piece represents a fascinating cultural practice where stone carvers, unable to play music themselves, capture the essence of musicians in their work. Zimbabwe's Shona sculptors, whose works grace prestigious collections from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to the Musée Rodin in Paris, are renowned for their ability to "release" figures from stone using simple chisels, following techniques passed down through generations. This piece exemplifies how village artisans transform their love of music into visual art, even when they cannot create the melodies themselves, resulting in sculptures that seem to resonate with their own silent rhythm.