Passmore Mashaya
ZimbabwePassmore was born in 1973 in the lush Eastern Highlands town of Nyanga. There he was educated at Mazurura Primary and St. Monica Secondary School.
Passmore discovered at a very early age that he had an inclination towards art. He showed a talent for molding human and animal forms from clay that he later went on to sell. His mother played a major role in nurturing his love for art. She would tell him stories of her late uncle Moses Mashaya who was one of Zimbabwe’s great early sculptors. As a direct result of his mother’s influence, Passmore decided to embark upon a career as a sculptor. He was fortunate to train under the internationally renowned sculptors, Agnes Nyanhongo and Joseph Munemo.
Passmore has been sculpting professionally since 1990 and thrives on a strong desire to mould and sustain a heritage for future generations through his art. By combining human and animal features, he strives to expose man's frailty in the face of nature. His ability to create works of art which can only be described as powerful have sometimes be seen as controversial in terms of style and message.
Over the years, Passmore has produced many wonderful works of art. He participated in the 1995/96 Chapungu Artists Residency Programme, which is a program for only the most talented of artists and has held exhibitions often in Zimbabwe and South Africa as well as in the United States and Europe. He now has his own workshop and gallery in Zimbabwe, and is involved in the training of other members of the family including his wife who have turned to sculpting as a profession, urged on by his success. The Shona stone sculptures of the Mashaya family are often taken on exhibition. One such event was the display at the InterCultural Center Gallery in Sonoma, California during the month of February, 2004 in an exhibit entitled, Transitions.