Galerie Ezakwantu

African Art       Franschhoek South Africa       Tribal Art

 

 

Central and Southern African Tribal Art

 

 

Click a thumbnail to enter a page.                   Scroll down to view objects in the page.

Masks / Masques

Neck Rests

Headdresses

 Spoons / Ladles 

Status Objects

Thrones / Stools

 

Tribal Weapons

Wooden Vessels

Figures

Contemporary

Hair Ornaments

Adornment

Miscellaneous

Beer -Wine Cups

 

Musical Instruments

 

Zulu Imbenge

 

Pipes - Snuff Bottles - Snuff Spoons

 

Dolls

 

Clay Pots

 

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Contemporary Art - African and Southern

 

 

 

 

Three Colonial Inspired African Busts

 

         

           African Madala               Lamidi Olonade Fakeye                   Makonde

 

 

Scroll to the bottom of this page for  images and information on these 3 items.

 

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figurative sculpture artefacts bronze statues Ken Karner  antique vintage artifacts imbenge baskets beer cover lids imbenge plates wire basket, beer cover lids vintage pottery artifact imbenge baskets pot cover imbenge plates artefact

 

 

Sydney Alex Kumalo
 

13 April 13th 1935 - December 11th 1988

 


Original Artwork - Mix Media - 1978
Pastel & Crayon on Paper

 

The sculptor and painter Sydney Kumalo, was born 1935 in Johannesburg. He is one of South Africa’s best-known artists and one of the very few blacks who were able to graduate from art school during Apartheid. His work was inspired by that of sculptors such as Henry Moore and Marino Marini. In the course of his career he increasingly drew upon long-standing African artistic traditions as well. Not in a search for his roots, but in the form of modern Western appropriation, to lend time-transcending depth to his contemporary work..

 

Kumalo's  career began in 1952 in informal art classes organized by Cecil Skotnes at the Polly Street Art Centre in Johannesburg, where he would one day teach. Recognizing his potential as a sculptor, Skotnes encouraged him to model in clay and negotiated his first commission, for ceiling decorations and relief's in St Peter Claver, Kroonstad (1958). Kumalo also gained important professional experience working with Edoardo Villa in the late 1950s. In 1956 he met the German connoisseur and gallery owner Egon Guenther, who promoted his work by financing casting and by organizing Kumalo’s first one-man exhibition at his gallery in Johannesburg in 1962, then exhibitions abroad thereafter. In 1963 Guenther also initiated the Amadlozi (Zulu: ‘spirit of our fathers’) group, which included Kumalo, Cecil Skotnes, Edoardo Villa, Cecily Sash and Guiseppe Cattaneo. Active until 1964, the group advocated art with an African identity; though Kumalo as a Zulu, was its sole black member.

 

 

Click to view old documents listing his exhibitions between 1962 and 1977,

as well as an incomplete list of collections where his work can be found.

 

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Andile Majolandile Dyalvane

 

 

  

 

 

Andile Dyalvane - Ceramist

 

Born 25th of September 1978 at Keiskamma Hoek / Qoboqobo, Eastern Cape.

 

Loosely quoting Picasso it can be said; "The greatest artists that ever lived were the Africans."

Andile Dyalvene is South Africa's resident master.

 

 

In his spare time, he works at home with mixed media on board.

 

 

Mixed Media on Board

 

 

Andile Dyalvane  "Majolandile", was born in the small town of Keiskamma Hoek / Qoboqobo in the Eastern Cape and grew up in a small village called Ngobozana. After school and during holidays, he looked after his father’s livestock. There he would run up the mountains, play in the fields, the rivers and the valleys with other boys. When they encountered a river, they would gather clay and make traditional animals. At that time he had no idea about the technology which he would later discover, allowing him to fire ceramics

 

 

At the age of eighteen, Andile enrolled in a three year course at the then Sivuyile Art College in Gugulethu Cape Town. He graduated at the top of his class. Receiving a scholarship, he enrolled for a ceramic design course at the then Port Elizabeth Technikon, where he obtains a national diploma in ceramic design.

 

 

Since graduation, Andile has exhibited ceramics in a number of galleries and received prestigious awards.

 

1999 – Andile received the FNB Vita award for the best piece in the exhibition. (Western Cape)

 

2001 – Andile received the FNB Vita award for best decorated piece.

 

2001 - Andile was one of the 9 ceramic designers chosen to represent South Africa in a 5 week exchange ceramic program workshop in Denmark.

 

2003 – Andile came in  2nd place at the Cape Craft Design Institute. (10 years of Democracy)

 

2005 - Andile was asked to create work in his own medium, influenced by Picasso, to be exhibited alongside the "Picasso and Africa" exhibition in South Africa.

 

2006 – Andile was identified by the Cape Craft and Design Institute as "the" design icon in the Western Cape.

 

Andile Dyalvene is fortunate to reinterpret his feelings into art works which fit a contemporary lifestyle. 

 

We hope you enjoy the visual impact of this "Picasso like" work.

 

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Ashanti Ceramic Figure

 

Ghana

 

 

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A colonial artwork of fine form.

 

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Paul Sibisi


Born  in 1948 at Cato Manor, popularly referred to as Umkhumbane, in Durban.

 

Paul Sibisi
 

Umkhumbane resonates with the memories of defiance and resistance to the apartheid government. Consequently, the area has a vibrant popular history and was the crucible from which many influential South African's emerged. Paul was one of these people. He has returned to his roots and now travels to work at his Studio in an old school in Umkhumbane.
 

"Tea Break"
Original Artwork - Woodcut - 1973


Growing up in an urban environment, Paul was influenced by his grandmother's traditional Zululand craft skills. Paul schooled in Umkhumbane at the Musa Bantu Community School from 1955 and later at the Ekujabuleni B.C. School. He matriculated at the nearby Chesterville Secondary School in 1965. He began a career as a teacher and enrolled for a higher primary school course at Amanzimtoti Zulu Training School. A teacher, Innocent Masondo, noticed Paul's artistic talent and approached the Principal with the suggestion that Paul be awarded a bursary to Ndaleni Art Training School so to specialize as an art teacher. Paul spent 1968 at Ndaleni under the tutorship of Lorne Pierson.

Here he learnt new techniques, such us, linocut and woodcut printing and wood carving. Paul graduated with a distinction in art history. From 1969 to 1971 Paul taught at Appelsbosch Girls' Training school near New Hanover. Jo Thorpe, of the African Art Centre in Durban arranged a two year bursary for Paul to study further at the Rorke's Drift Arts and Crafts Centre from 1973. In 1975 he taught at KwaThambo H.P. School at KwaMakhutha and from 1977 to 1997 at Mzuvele High School in KwaMashu Township outside Durban.

He now concentrates on his own art. His has participated in many solo and group exhibitions and his work is well represented in many of South Africa’s top public collections, such as the Johannesburg and Durban Art Galleries.

 

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads

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This artwork is offered in it's old, paint speckled, original frame.

On the reverse is found an interesting piece of history. In 1973 Sibisi had offered it for sale at R20.00. At the time he was studying at Rorke's Drift.

 

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Telephone Wired Plates - Baskets

 

 

The use of wire in Southern Africa

 

Wire work in Africa can be traced back over a millennium. From the early 19th century, larger use of copper and iron wire work appeared on knobkerries and snuff bottles, as a result of trade with Europeans. During the 20th century, Zulu night watchmen in urban areas wove scraps of brightly coloured telephone wire around their traditional sticks called  "amawisa".  These objects soon became more intricate in design. The technique was also applied to making beer pot covers called "izimbenge", which were traditionally woven only from grass or palm fibre. This art form was taken further during the 1970's by Elliot Mkhize, who coiled telephone wire around a galvanised core. His innovation led to far larger baskets or plates, which are what Galerie Ezakwantu offers today.

 

 

 

Telephone Wire Plates / Galerie Ezakwantu's Display

 

Our Contemporary telephone wire-weaved wired plates are made by weavers from the Siyanda informal settlement in Durban.  Support in design and continued skills development has led to international acclaim and a thriving community of hundreds of weavers earning a sustainable income.

 

Unlike Western traditions, designs are never pre-conceptualised, but evolve as the work progresses and dependant on the material at hand, making each piece unique.

 

 

Click  thumbs to view higher resolution images.

 

 

Follow this link to view vintage beer pot imbenge......    

 

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Tete Nzusa

 

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Tete Nzusa / The Eagle

Tate Nzusa was born in 1954 at Nkandla in the Gwebede district of Natal. He is both an artist and musician.  At age 15 he began to carve for the people in his district . Tete later moved to Johannesburg where he found himself unable to obtain work. As a result he made puppets, and together with a homemade tin guitar, did busking on the streets. Of special interest are his self made leather shoes, in which each toe fits to it's own compartment like a glove. By 1995 he was living in Durban and selling his puppets to the BAT Shop (Bartel Arts Trust).  Soon he created sculptural objects in wood, which were then painted and covered literally with 1000's of tiny painted dots. His work was snapped up straight away by art collectors and local museums curators alike. He has subsequently had a one man show and his work may be found both in the Kwa Zulu Natal Provincial Collection and the Killie Campbell Library.

 

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Nelson Mchunu - Natal

 

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Bushman / Nelson Mchumu - Nr. 12 of 15

Nelson Mchunu was born of humble beginnings in 1970 in an area called Sweetwaters, which is just outside Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Due to political upheaval in the area and a necessity to support his blind mother, he was unable to complete his schooling. As a young boy he sought employment in people’s gardens, where he showed tremendous pride in his work. It did not take long before his artistic ability was noticed.

 

 

Nelson lives with his wife and two children in their own home. His interest in choosing this study of a Bushman was sparked from his keen interest in their complex social make-up and unique lifestyle.

 

 

Nelson is one of South Africa’s most inspiring young artists. We are pleased to support him and look forward to his next sculpture.

 

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African Colon Figure

 

Circa 1940

 

 

Bust of an old African Madala

 

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This old African bush has a repaired ear, while the beard was left alone as we felt the results of missing hair added to the objects character.

 

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South East African Colon Figure

 

Circa 1920

 

 

Bust of a Powerful Man

 

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This figure is made from extremely heavy wood, leading us to believe it to be Makonde in origin. Note the old glass shell or ivory inset eyes and teeth.

 

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Lamidi Olonade Fakeye

 

     

                 Lamidi Olonade Fakeye - 1999                   George Bamidele Arowoogun  - 1945

 

 

Yoruba Woman

 

Click Thumbnails for Larger Images AFTER Page FULLY Loads

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The Yoruba woman depicted here is wearing the traditional Yoruba headscarf called a head-tie, which can be tied, folded and in some cases pinned to create numerous elaborate styles.

 

 

Lamidi Olonade Fakeye

 

Fakeye is a fifth generation carver of the highly respected Fakeye family. During his long career, he achieved great fame around the world as one of the greatest African artists of modern times.

 

Fakeye's work appears in many private  collections, as well as the permanent collections of institutions such as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.

 

A retrospective exhibition of Fakeye's life work was held at the Smithsonian during 1999. The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened between December 1999 and January 2000. These exhibitions illustrated the living tradition of the Osi-Ilurin school that Fakeye grew from.

 

 

      

 

Lamidi Fakeye was born in Orangun, Nigeria in 1928. He was given the prophetic middle name Olonade which means "the carver has arrived." The family name Fakeye is an honorific title that the king of Ila bestowed upon his great grandfather for of his artistic accomplishments.

 

Lamidi Olonade Fakeye's career began at age ten when he carved his first piece and began studying traditional Yoruba art under his father. In 1949, he was apprenticed to the master carver George Bamidele Arowoogun. He worked with him a great deal, right up to his death.

 

In 1960 Fakeye's his first son was born and he had his first solo art exhibit in Nigeria.

 

In 1978 he became an instructor at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife Nigeria, where he unveiled his incredible statue of Odudua.

 

Fakeye served as artist-in-residence at several prestigious American universities between 1989 and 1995. Fakeye is  retired and presently 79 years old. (2007) 

 

 

 

Lamidi Olonade Fakeye

 

 

1928 Lamidi Olonade Fakeye born in Ila Orangun, Nigeria.

1938 Carves his first sculpture and apprentices to his father.

1949 Begins apprenticeship to master sculptor George Bamidele Arowoogun.

1955 Takes his first job as an art instructor at Holy Cross Primary School (Lagos, Nigeria).

1960 First son is born and first solo exhibition opens at British Council (Nigeria).

1962 Serves as artist-in-residence at Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, Michigan).

1964 Elected president of Society of Professional Artists of Nigeria; exhibit opens at United States Information Service (Nigeria).

1971 Exhibit of three generations of Fakeye woodcarvers opens (Ibadan, Nigeria).

1973 Received commission for Kennedy Center Africa Room doors (Washington, D.C.).

1978 Appointed to the faculty of University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria).

1987 Unveils Oduduwa statue at University of Ife; retrospective opens at Western Michigan University gallery.

1989 Awarded Oyo State, Nigeria, Special Merit Award.

1989 Serves as artist-in-residence at universities in Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta.

1995 Makes pilgrimage to Mecca.

1996 Publishes autobiography; retrospective exhibit opens at Hope College (Holland, Michigan).

1999 Appointed Kellogg Visiting Artist for Michigan; Smithsonian retrospective exhibit.

 

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Hannes Harrs

 

 

Hannes Harrs

 

March 7th 1927 - May 25th 2006

 

On May 25, at 16.45, South Africa lost one of its greatest artists…

Hannes Harrs, aged 79, sat down for a little rest, after a productive day spent in his studio. He sat back in his favourite chair to contemplate his latest painting and fell asleep. It was a short while later, when his wife Soelve, came to cover him with a blanket that she realised that he has left this world…
 

Hannes, born into an artistic family in Germany in 1927, emigrated to South Africa at the age of 23.  With his European background and schooling, he contributed to art in South Africa in a unique way, a contribution which has yet to be comprehended fully. His passionate involvement with Africa dates back to his childhood when his uncle, who was a ship’s captain, brought him artifacts from Africa. They filled his young artistic soul with wonderment and led to an obsession that brought him to Africa in the 1950's.

 

His love for Africa and the artifacts of its peoples, became and are the centre of his creativity.  Only Hannes intellect could absorb the rhythms, colors, textures and content of Africa, then transfigure them meaningfully into universality. He experienced Africa in a uniquely personal way which the world of art lovers salute.


From humble beginnings and his first public exhibition at the Egon Guenter Gallery in 1961, Hannes  produced and has been exhibited in many major art galleries around the world.


We celebrate the life of Hannes; accomplished artist, sculptor and printmaker, well known not only in South Africa, but also abroad. He will be sadly missed by his family and associates, but his memory will live on in the many wonderful works of art which he has produced…

 

 

 

We are privileged to offer the following work from Hannes Harrs, a number of which date to the 1980's.

 

Further details on request.

 

Click on each thumbnail to enlarge.

 

 

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(Front and Rear View)

 

This sculpture is one of the earliest known works by Hannes Harrs and is entitled "Tokolosh".

 

For nearly two decades it adorned Johannesburg's Jan Smut Airport.

 

 The sculpture measures 1.7 meters t