Exhibition of Stone Sculptures from Zimbabwe at St Mary’s Church, High Street, Oxford, 10th October-6th December, 2025

This exhibition features four stone sculptures from Zimbabwe, with explanatory posters. It addresses some of the issues raised by the protests against the statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College in Oxford between 2015 and 2021.

The sculptures are by artists working at Chitungwiza Arts Centre, near Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe [Chitungwiza Arts Centre]. They are a response to a competition that was organised by the Centre and the Oxford Zimbabwe Arts Partnership, funded by Oriel College.

Sculptors were asked to reflect on the impact and legacy of Cecil Rhodes’ colonial wars [1890-97] on the people of Zimbabwe. They were limited to small-scale works, and each provided a written narrative that explained their sculpture. More than one hundred pieces were submitted with enormous variety: some were explicitly political, some more abstract, and some allegorical. The judges, including two leading Zimbabwean stone sculptors, chose these four pieces.

The aims of the exhibition are to provide an African artistic perspective on the Rhodes legacy, to educate viewers and stimulate debate, and to connect Chitungwiza Arts Centre and Oxford.

Discussions will be held at:

• St Mary’s Church, High Street on 14th November 2025 at 7.30pm. Please contact Uncomfortable Oxford Booking link [www. Displacing Rhodes: a Critical Conversation on Resilience, Representation, and Colonial Legacies – Uncomfortable Oxford]

• Nissan Institute Lecture Theatre, St Antony’s College, Woodstock Road on 25th November 2025 at 5pm (sponsored by the African Studies Centre).

The Winning Sculpture is Blindfolded Justice by Wallace Mkankha, who writes: The stone sculpture represents the cruel legacy of Cecil John Rhodes in Zimbabwe. The face, shrouded in anguish, symbolizes the suffering of the Zimbabwean people. The two hands covering the eyes signify the forced blindness to the truth as Rhodes’ regime imposed its oppressive rule. The two hands struggling to remove the blindfold represent the resilience and determination of Zimbabwean people to break free from oppression. The sculpture symbolizes the ongoing quest for justice, equality and peace.