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Mandela the global icon by Rankadi Daniel Mosako -
Nelson Mandela looking to the future by Velaphi-Mzimba -
Mandela by Lena Woolf -
Mandela Hand Sign by Susan Woolf -
Mandela Study by Richard Stone -
Mr. Nelson Mandela by Richard Stone -
The Last Supper by Dean Simon -
Hope by Wayne Barker
WORDS Debbie Loots
The Mother City’s mayor, Patricia de Lille, recently opened the travelling We Love Mandela, Art Inspired by Madiba exhibition, also marking the launch of the new touring Peacemakers Museum at the V&A Waterfront’s Clock Tower.
Perched less than 13km across the way from Robben Island, where Madiba was imprisoned for 27 years, the exhibition is on until the end of February and features 70 portraits of our beloved Madiba, from his time as prisoner all the way to president.
Depicted in a multitude of mediums by more than 20 artists, the show is beautifully showcased by seasoned curator Natalie Knight. Work by famed cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro is juxtaposed with classic, realistic portraits of Madiba. Most artists participating in the exhibition were affected by the apartheid regime before Madiba’s release – many were unable to practice their craft while others found expression through resistance art. Today, each work on the exhibition seems like a personal gesture of love and respect for Madiba. Says Natalie: “Mandela’s influence has had a lasting effect on South Africa and the world. His life and deeds have inspired the artists and they are unanimous in their love and praise for the iconic personality.”
One especially striking portrait is by the British Royal portrait painter, Richard Stone. Having painted portraits of queens and princes, of Pavarotti as well as our very own former-bishop Desmond Tutu, Richard says painting the charismatic and dignified Madiba was a humbling experience, one he will always treasure. His original work of Madiba, painted in 2008, sold for R6.8 million a few years ago and Richard has donated a print, as well as parted with the original small study he made for the portrait, for auctioning by Stephan Welz & Co at its fine art and design auction on 25 February. The proceeds will go to the Nelson Mandela’s Children Fund (NMCF) and CIDA University in Johannesburg, set up to help disadvantaged learners.
The exhibition includes sculptures, beadwork and photographs, as well as prints and paintings, by artists such as Wayne Barker, Richard Chauke, David Koloane, Jürgen Schadeburg, Kagisa Pat Mautloa, Billy and Jane Makhubele, Johannes Maswanganyi, Collen Maswanganyi, Rankadi Daniel Mosako, Velaphi Mzimba, Joachim Schönfeldt, Eric Sher, Alfred Thoba, Susan Woolf, Lena Woolf and Zapiro.
Cape Town can also look forward to other exhibitions at the new Peacemaker’s Museum. Plans are underway to feature Nobel Peace laureates Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk.
More exciting news is that talks are currently underway to open We Love Mandela, Art Inspired by Madiba in New York, on Madiba’s birthday, 18 July.
Entry to the exhibition is free, but donations are welcome and will go to the NMCF.
