The Stone

 

Running from the north to the south of Zimbabwe, the Great Dyke is a 500-kilometre-long and 90-kilometre-wide geological marvel—one of the few un-erupted volcanic ridges in the world. Unlike typical volcanic formations, the Great Dyke rose and cooled without spilling lava, resulting in an extraordinary diversity of stones. These stones, with their varied grain structures and vibrant colours, were formed over millennia by seasonal fluctuations in temperature and cooling rates.

Each stone holds a story—an ancient, silent record of geological time. Chikodzi’s work explores the dialogue between this deep natural history and the contemporary narratives he carves into it. His practice is shaped by this dynamic tension between the temporal depth of the material and his own artistic voice.

In 2016, Chikodzi undertook a residency at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, conducting field research at some of the country’s most significant geological and cultural heritage sites. His travels took him to the Matobo Hills, the Great Zimbabwe and Khami ruins, and the ancient rock paintings of the Eastern Highlands—each a testament to Zimbabwe’s enduring relationship with the land and stone.

Today, Chikodzi collaborates with a team in Zimbabwe to ethically source unique stones—selecting specimens that showcase a spectrum of grain structures and colours, from deep oxidized Serpentine to rich cobalt blues and purples. Through these stones, he tells stories that span continents, cultures, and geological eras.