Esau Karuru was born in 1979 in Mashonaland West where he attended primary and secondary school. Esau started his life in the Shona art world first as an assistant to Witness Bonjisi, then his brother Lameck and finally in 1997, with Colleen Madamombe, one of Zimbabwe's most renowned female carvers. Just one year later, he had the confidence to start working on his own and since that time he has sold his art internationally to buyers from all over the world. He says his goal is to be a recognised and respected sculptor. In 1999 Esau married Shupikai and they have a beautiful little girl they named Tanyaradzwa.