Hind Fine Art Gallery, The Crisson Building, Front Street, Hamilton.

Be honest. What's the first thing that comes into your mind at the mention of African art? A slightly scary tribal wooden mask? A disproportionately well-endowed figure carved out of a curve of ivory in honour of some fertility god perhaps? Or how about a decorative shield made of a few sheets of buffalo hide stitched together? I was always under the impression that African art was a bit like Mexican food. A few fiery ingredients that, when mixed togther, disappointingly produce nothing more than a bland mulch.

A bit of an ignorant opinion perhaps but one that's quite common judging by a quick poll around the office.

Common and also not very surprising when you consider that, as the gallery's co-owner Dusty Hind informed me, there is no word for art in the African language and the sorts of things you can pick up in New York ethnic shops for a small fortune were created not to be displayed as `art' but used in everyday life.

Which is why this show quite simply took my breath away.

Expecting to see a mound of the aforementioned masks and shields I was instead greeted by sculptures of amazing beauty and craftsmanship.

Carved out of verdite, a semi-precious stone that comes mainly in a variety of greens as well as browns and yellows, the work of Shona sculptors falls into three main categories, abstract figures, naturalistic carvings of native African animals and powerful head studies full of character.

There is only a small selection of abstract pieces here, which is a shame because the few examples here are wonderfully original designs.

The willowy curves of a woman's torso are beautifully captured in `Thin Torso' while `The Lovers' sums up human emotions in a simple, graceful sweep of stone.

The animal studies are quite simply amazing. Beautifully observed, the artistry with which each piece has been crafted is sublime.

Interestingly, each sculptor specialises in one particular animal, spending their entire lives perfecting their skills in creating the lumbering gait of an elephant or the stealth of a cheetah.

Each animal is exquisitely detailed and, while it is easy for anyone and everyone to appreciate the artistry involved, it becomes even more breathtaking when you consider just how hard verdite stone is.

It seems the Shona sculptors believe in making life difficult for themselves, choosing a stone that is not only immensely tough to shape, but which can also contain hidden seams which dictate the composition of each piece.

But while animal studies are wonderful vehicles for these sculptors to show off their technical ability and mastery, it is in their portrait work that steals this particular show.

Again the technical skill is there but what makes these pieces so wonderful is the power of the artist to imbue a lump of inanimate stone with a living, breathing presence that shows the character of each sitter, be it the coyness of a Zulu bride or the wisdom and power of a tribal chief.

The work of Shona sculptors -- a school which had developed in the last 50 years or so -- is now becoming internationally recognised with work appearing in such places as the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

That such pieces can be seen and admired on Front Street is testimony to Mr.

Hind, a sculptor himself. Mr. Hind is keen to promote the works of these artists and one can understand why.

This is a wonderful exhibition that sheds light on a fascinating people and culture. A must see.

Gareth Finighan .

Masterful: One of the examples of work on display at the Crisson Hind Fine Art Gallery.