'Flower' is an original opal serpentine sculpture by the Zimbabwean artist Obert Mukumbi. In the sculpture, Obert emphasizes the abstract qualities of the natural forms of the calla lily: At the center, a tall and wide stamen reaches upward as curving leaves and petals break away and curve outward. The massive bulk of the usually delicate flower, as though it has been enlarged, reminds of the paintings of American modernist Georgia O'Keefe, who often used close views and thoughtful cropping to find abstract forms in nature. Here, however, the approach to the subject is purely immersed in the Shona tradition where the stone material is celebrated through contrast between rough and smooth texture and appreciation for deep colors.

opal stone (serpentine)
signed "O. Mukumbi" along base
22 x 12 x 12 inches
Overall excellent condition with no signs of wear or damage.