Alan Sam was also fascinated by Dinosaurs at a young age. He has been making Metal Dinosaurs for 3 years. He learned to weld 10 years ago under the tutelage of Ray Chisadza – one of the best welders in the land. Alan started with Birds, Giraffes, Tortoise then life sized Dinosaurs! Alan is part of a Team of 3. The other very talented people that Alan is privileged to work are Ray Chisadza & Lovejoy Makaza. The team does business under the name “Afar Animation Studios”. They create Sculptures with used metal obtained from old and abandoned cars. Recently, Alan & team have been searching for used oil drums to assist in making large dinosaurs for their next project.
The attention to detail on the animals is fantastic. I especially like the etching on the birds to simulate feathers. The different positions of the birds add to their realism. All the Animals are wonderful! But of course, the Dinosaurs are my favorites. I have received comments of surprise when I indicate the sculptures are made of metal.
Currently Alan is working with the Government of Zimbabwe to provide a 10 Dinosaur Exhibition in the National Botanical Garden. The Exhibition would run for 2 months after which the Botanical Garden would purchase the Dinosaurs or they would return with Alan Sam’s team to their Garden which is under construction. Their Garden will have many activities including fossil finds!
The National Botanic Garden of Zimbabwe is situated about 4 kilometers North of Harare City Centre in the suburb of Alexandra Park. It also houses the National Herbarium of Zimbabwe. The gardens have an area of almost 7 square kilometers. Initially established as a recreation area in 1902, it became the National Botanic Gardens in 1962 under the direction of Dr. Hyram Wilder. Half of the gardens are devoted to indigenous plants from Zimbabwe’s woodlands and include most of the 750 species found in the country. Other areas contain plants typical to the African continent including rare and endangered species, as well as exotics from South America, India, Australia and the Far East.
(Information about The National Botanic Garden of Zimbabwe obtained from ZimFieldGuide.com, pictures from experiencezimbabwe.com, tripadvisor.com and snipview.com thank you all!)
Stay tuned for updates with Alan, Ray & Lovejoy’s progress with the National Botanical Garden Project as well as their own Park’s construction and opening date! I have asked Alan for pictures of himself and team vs. just in the background. Hopefully they will be ready for their “close ups” by their next update.
Next week Dinosaur Tales & Facts from the Reading at the E.P. Foster Library in Ventura, California.
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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