(“Isondlo Sabantwana – Child maintenance”, oil on canvas by Sibusiso Duma)A solo exhibition titled Tales from the Past and the Present by much loved KZN artist, Sibusiso Duma, is currently running at the African Art Centre.
Sibusiso explains that the catalyst for these new works is his recent experience of marriage, new responsibilities and the challenges he faces as provider for his family of three and the extended family of his deceased sister. He reveals that these paintings have aided him in exploring the complex and extended process of maturation that has occurred in his life over the last couple of years.
Born in Durban in 1977, Duma developed a talent for drawing at an early age and spent most of his time drawing houses and cars on the walls of his home. Recognizing his talent, his older brother introduced him to fellow artist and musician Trevor Makhoba, well-known for his controversial and socially critical painting style. Duma’s professional career was launched in 1997 when he participated in his first group exhibition at the African Art Centre with Welcome Danca and Trevor Makhoba. Between 1994 and 2003, Makhoba mentored the young artist through his Philange Art Project based in Umlazi where Makhoba had built a small studio behind his house. Each day after school, Duma would diligently work beside his teacher and mentor.
Although Duma soon developed a unique style and technique, Makhoba’s early influence extracted his preoccupation with social and personal issues which have remained paramount throughout his artistic career. The dominance of the human figure has become an essential vehicle for the housing of the stories he tells of his life and his experiences. Much like his mentor, he reflects on his experiences of life with hints of humour and satire which he says help him to make sense of the social conditions of our time. His work is typified by his treatment of the surface, subject matter, composition and the use of space and colour which collectively create touches of mystery and intrigue. His exceptional use of personal iconography and metaphors harvested from everyday life manifest a fine balance between fantasy and reality.
Duma’s current work has become increasingly drawn toward pointillism, a painting technique elaborated from the impressionists in which dots of colour are juxtaposed on flat surfaces. In 2010, he was selected as one of ten finalists in the ABSA Atelier Exhibition in Johannesburg for a painting executed in this technique.
He held his first solo exhibition at the African Art Centre in 2007 and continues to exhibit his work extensively in Durban and in galleries in Cape Town and Johannesburg. His work is represented in numerous private and public collections including the Durban Art Gallery; Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg; SMAC Gallery, Stellenbosch, the Killie Campbell Collection and the Bruce Campbell-Smith Collection in Cape Town.
Tales from the Past and the Present runs until July 14 at the African Art Centre, 94 Florida Road, Morningside. More information from the Director, Sharon Crampton, or the Development Officer, Nozipho Zulu, on 031 312 3805 or email africanartcentre@afri-art.co.za or visit www.afriart.co.za
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