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Born in 1962 in the Chinhoyi District of Zimbabwe, Norbert Shamuyarira began sculpting at the age of 17 after a chance encounter with Bernard Takawira. For four years Shamuyarira worked with Takawira, but since 1984 he has lived and worked on his own.

Shamuyarira's sculptures, like those of Takawira, are characterised by a respect for the shape of the stone. Until recently his sculptures were rarely opened up or deeply carved. The characteristic shape was a rounded softness with human forms being suggested rather than clearly defined.

Family tragedies for long profoundly influenced much of Shamuyarira's work, which frequently has themes that relate to human relationships and personal feelings. Such works are an artistic response to deeply felt emotions. Through his sculpture, Shamuyarira has discovered an eloquent and lasting means of self-expression. Feelings of sadness and insecurity often are present in his work, as evidenced not only by the sculptural forms he creates, but also by their titles: 'The Sufferer', 'Sad Widow', 'Too Shy for This World', 'Born to Cry'.

DePaul University Art Gallery Curator, Riva Feshbach, newly introduced to his work in 1993 wrote of how "the misfortunes of his life and of his fellow Zimbabweans have been transformed into universally powerful sculptures showing frequently faceless humanoid forms in postures of submission and sorrow." However since the mid 1990's his subject matter has become more diversified - including comment on contemporary issues that go beyond his own personal life experiences. Shamuyarira's work continues to evolve stylistically - including the use of more than one piece of stone and sometimes incorporating metal.

Two important sculptures created by Shamuyarira in 1996 represented this new development - each of them a significant creation as well as a powerful commentary on their subject matter (the judicial system and the slave trade).