Considering his modest upbringing, Adam Madebe’s artistic trajectory has gone from strength to strength. Largely upheld as one of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated sculptors working in metal, he has received several accolades for his achievements, including the notable President’s Award for Excellence, in 1994. His works, which are often life-size or larger have been acquired by notable international collections. A steel sculpture entitled, Fallen Warrior (1989) was previously installed at the British Museum in London, UK, while another, the iconic Hot Seat (1989) is still taught as a landmark work to fine art students in Zimbabwe today.

In addition to winning a succession of major prizes from national exhibitions, he has received commissions for a number of important public and private sculptures in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana including that of Mahatma Gandhi. The subject of an educational television programme made for the British broadcasting service Channel 4, he is generally known for his figurative work yet, rarer, abstract works do appear in his oeuvre.