Chemedu Jemali Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1971 -

Chemedu Jemali was born in Harare in 1971, where he did his primary education. He and his family then moved to the Shamva township where he completed high school. His family is originally from Malawi and their totem is of the Miranzi (mouse).

In the early 1990's, Chemedu took an interest in carving, inspired by the success of his older brother, Chituwa, an established carver. Initially, he worked as an apprentice to Chituwa who introduced him to carving the local hard stone such as verdite, springstone, cobalt and lemon opal. He has another brother as well, Salim, who is also a full time sculptor.

Chemedu produces abstract creations of various themes - from spirit birds to stylised busts. He has become a well know artist in the Shona Art Movement in The Netherlands and Germany. In 2002, he held four exhibition workshops in Germany and an exhibition in Den Haag. All of his sculptures on show were sold.

In 1995, Chemedu married Tendai Pintu and they have a boy and a girl. Usually a quiet living man, he enjoys following his favourite soccer team, the local Dynamos.