Uhambolwami
by
Sthembiso Zwane
23 August 2024
Growing up in Orange Farm, Sthembiso Zwane often spent afternoons riding along with his grandfather, who was a taxi driver, as he ferried passengers along his routes. During these rides, he became acquainted with and fascinated by the myriads of elderly passengers that passed through his grandfather's taxi. The wrinkles and texture of their skin drew his attention and thus have become a recurring theme in his artworks. Finely textured carvings recreate a lifelike texture in his prints, giving an illusion of movement.
In 2009 Zwane studied printmaking at the Artist Proof Studio, mentored by Themba Khumalo. In 2011 he started the artist collective Dancing Brushes which specialised in creating large-scale murals. During that time, he explored different media ranging from painting to carnival puppetry before refocusing solely on printmaking and founding the Mazenzela Workshop in 2014. In 2015, he placed in the Top 100 for both Sasol’s New Signatures and the Thami Mnyele Art Awards. He also became an assistant printmaker at Prints on Paper. In 2017 he joined Nicholas Hlobo and helped install his performance for the New York Performance Arts Biennale. In 2019, he founded the Mazenzela Art Collective with other Johannesburg-based artists. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with established artists like MK Studios as well as emerging artists like Sanele Jali.
"In my latest series of prints and oil paintings I pay tribute to the elderly women who once occupied the back-seat of my late grandfather's taxi. As a driver he would transport these remarkable women from their pension pay points to their homes. During these journeys I was captivated by the fairy tales they shared—stories that wove together threads of wisdom, history, and personal narrative.
Through this body of work I aim to honour these women as the living archives they are—our 'walking libraries.' Each print is a visual homage to their stories and the profound respect they inspire in me. This series reflects my belief in the importance of listening to and caring for our elders, recognizing them as vessels of knowledge and tradition. In celebrating their voices, I hope to preserve their legacies and the invaluable lessons they impart."
PLEASE NOTE THAT BUYERS IN PRETORIA WILL ALSO NEED TO PAY A COURIER FEE AS STHEMBISO IS IN JOHANNESBURG
Sthembiso Zwane
"Landscape"
2024
This landscape holds a deeply personal resonance, depictig a former pension pay point that was a signifiant part of my family's history. My grandfather, a taxi driver, brought us here every month to transport elderly women to their homes. These visits, though simple, were imbued with a profound sense of community and care. Each time I pass this place, I am reminded of my late grandfather and the meaningful routines we shared.
In creating this artwork, I employed layers of acrylic and carving techniques to evoke the depth of my memories and emotions tied to this location. The layered textures and subtle shift in color are intended to reflect both the physical and emotional layers of my experiences. Through this piece, I aim to honour my grandfather's legacy and the initial connections formed in this ordinary yet cherished place.
200 layers of acrylic on canvas and then carved like a linocut plate
121cm x 119cm
R 50 000
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