www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 3, 2007 - 23 Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2007 Africville opening life through stone tonight By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A country facing one of the world's harshest AIDS epidemics is the beneficiary of an art show that opens tonight in Oakville. It's called Celebrating Life Through Stone, an exhibit of sculptures made by artists from Zimbabwe, using stone unique to Africa . Not only does the exhibition showcase the country's art and celebrate its culture, but it's also an initiative to spread awareness and raise funds for those affected by HIV/AIDS. One in five adults in Zimbabwe lives with HIV. About every three minutes, another person becomes infected. Chaka Chikodzi, a Zimbabwe native, artist, and the man behind the fundraising sculpture show, knows this all too well. "I feel like we are all connected by this," said Chikodzi, who moved from Zimbabwe to Canada in 2001. "It's something that affects everyone in Zimbabwe right now. Even if you go high up in the SABRINA BYRNES / OAKVILLE BEAVER MADE BY HAND: Chaka Chikodzi, a Zimbabwean stone sculptor, with his piece made of opal stone, which is entitled See Beyond, that will be on display at the upcoming exhibit. government, or with rich people, they're still affected, whether it's a close family member or a friend who's infected." A sculptor since age 13, in 2002 Chikodzi founded Africville, a foundation that tours the country with sculptures by Zimbabwe artists to spread the culture and to raise awareness and funds to assist its people. Chikodzi is the only native Zimbabwean sculptor who imports and curates Shona stone sculpture exhibits in North America. "The most powerful tool we have as Zimbabweans is our culture, which is rich despite our poverty. It is my hope that bringing this art and culture to Canada will help the Zimbabwean people to thrive," he said. "For the artists I'm showing for, it's their main job, main source of income. If we sell the work here, it means there's more work for them. Right now with the economic situation in Zimbabwe, sculpting is that much more important." Not only does the sale of the art benefit the artists, but like last year, Chikodzi See African page 24 W H AT P HO N E B O OK I S T H E E AS I E S T TO U S E ? AS K T H E G OR I L L A . Links to Local Sales & Specials Local Video Guide Complete Local Business Directory Shopping Mall Guide Local Web Guide brought to you by: For more information on Gold Book call 310-GOLD or email info@goldbook.ca