Artist Isaac Sithole, who died earlier this week, was born in 1974 in Maputo, Moçambique. Despite coming from a family with no apparent artistic talent, he quietly and firmly honed his skills and forged his way forward to become one of KZN’s most respected and sought-after artists. He was selected as one of Fifa’s international artists.
Working with other wood carvers in his area, he learnt the art of woodcarving from the age of 12. On moving to South Africa, he developed his skills in woodcut printing and began to create wooden sculptures. Then came a foray into colour reduction woodcut techniques which allowed him to produce his distinctive and vibrant images of village people and their cultural events.
He was represented in numerous solo and group exhibitions and his works of animals, birds and landscape were much in demand. He also created the murals at the Liberty Mall in Pietermaritzburg.
He is quoted as saying: "I am inspired by the beauty in the ordinary, to transform the spirit of the living into art."
Sithole worked closely with the African Art Centre and friend and colleague Hlengiwe Dube notes: “I am really sad about Isaac Sithole’s passing. I known him since 1991, he was one of those dedicated artist and always keen to share his skills with others. It’s a loss to all of us, my condolences to his wife and family. Rest in peace.”
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