The Elder

The Elder has the presence of someone who has seen many stories unfold. Expressive eyes, a grey beard and a long curved pipe are carved into a substantial piece of solid wood. The face holds the eye, while the irregular outline and visible carving marks keep the material’s own character close to the surface.

Only Mpofu brings colour to the carving through painted flowers, geometric forms and the red, yellow and green crown. These details move across the timber, joining the portrait to an expressive painted composition. The rough grain and shaped edges remain visible beneath and around the artwork, so the painting and carving can be appreciated together.

This is a monumental floor sculpture, 105 centimetres high. Its weight and scale are central to its presence. It stands directly on the floor or ground beside a wall, with its attached wooden foot supporting the original form. It must never be displayed on a table, cabinet, shelf or other furniture.

The solid timber is extremely heavy and requires two to three people to move. In a home, lodge lounge or hotel interior, a clear place along a wall allows the full sculpture to be seen while keeping it outside the centre of the room.