The Shona people are descendants of several native peoples of the African region which includes Zimbabwe and parts of Mozambique. Sculpting in stone is an ancient tradition with the Shona people. In the mid twentieth century there was a surge of interest in Shona sculpture and it became highly sought after by art collectors and museum curators around the world. Shona sculpture is known for its elegant, contemporary lines. The sculptures often reflect a spiritual nature.



Richard Mteki studied at the Canon Paterson Art Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, and the Workshop School at the National Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe. Among his collectors are Prince Charles, Prince Philip, and Sir Richard Attenborough. The sculptures of Richard Mteki are or have been exhibited in museums, galleries, and other venues including but not necessarily limited to the following:
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Washington, DC
Guruve, Hertfordshire, England
Institute of Contemporary Art, London, England
Instituto Italo-Africa, Rome, Italy
International Art Exposition, Miami, FL
International Trade Fair, Geneva, Switzerland
International Trade Fair, Helsinki, Finland
Irving Sculpture Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Mall Galleries, London, England
Matombo Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe
Mhiripiri Gallery, Bloomington, MN
Millesgarden Museum, Stockholm, Sweden
Musee National des Arts d’Afrique et d’Oceanie, Paris, France
Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
National Gallery, Harare, Zimbabwe
Racines Gallery, Brussels, Belgium
Rodin Museum, Paris, France
Zim Stone Gallery, Hyattsville, MD