A New Stone Age

Spirits in Stone is a jumble of quiet surprises, all of them pleasant, some of them emotionally powerful, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.

The exhibit and sale showcases dozens of stone sculptures created by artists of the Shona people in the southeastern African nation of Zimbabwe. The exhibit runs through May 14.

Artists such as Edronce Rukodzi, who is on site at varying times working on a piece, don’t make drawings beforehand. Instead, they rely on the spirit in the stone itself to guide their work. The results most often emphasize family and cultural values: respect for elders, humility, inner happiness, the value of meditation and the spiritual dimension--which the Shona believe transcends time and links the living with their ancestors and future progeny.

The intricate philosophy yields simple flowing lines in the stonework. Heads often are tilted at extreme angles, the eyes closed and mouths open slightly, like travelers who have just fallen asleep sitting up. Forms range from sharply literal shapes to abstractions that recall Picasso, who may have seen some of the carvings or photos of them early in his career. A small cluster is dedicated to the works of Shona women, who only in the last few years have been encouraged to carve, which could explain the few mildly political pieces.

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Spirits in Stone runs through May 14 at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum , 900 Exposition Blvd. Admission is $6 for adults, $3.50 for seniors and students, $2 for children, free for children under 8. Information (213) 744-3414.