(Introducing
the painting to its new home are the artist Philani Luthuli, KPMG Managing
Director Farouk Karreem, Into the Light Foundation trustee Nirode Bramdaw and KPMG
Audit director Naresh Bhoola)
A painting purchased by KPMG will have a
positive impact in the lives of the poorest people, who will receive
life-changing medical operations. The painting was auctioned at the premiere
screening of the box office smash hit, Mandela:
Long Walk to Freedom in Durban on November 19.
Entitled The Long Gaze at Freedom, the painting is by Durban fine artist Philani
Luthuli of Nelson Mandela’s return visit to his prison cell in Robben Island
with former US president Bill Clinton. This painting contributed towards the
R303,000 raised by the Into the Light Foundation at the screening.
Luthuli is eager to explore in order to expand
his knowledge and sharpen his talent. At a young age, he became inspired by
African heritage, wild life, landscapes and different style of living in South
Africa. He specializes mostly in painting and drawing but does explore other
mediums and forms such as ceramics, textile, wood cut print, murals and award
(trophy) designing.
His works have exhibited at most of the art
galleries in Durban as well as at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo (China), Russia
(Moscow) along Makhaya Art & Culture development programme. In 2008, he worked
as a visual art facilitator at The BAT Centre and the Durban Art Gallery. He
has also done a lot of commission work including University of KwaZulu-Natal
(UKZN) 2010 Commemoration Cultural Awards, Portrait of Nelson Mandela for the
Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Into the Light Foundation, which auctioned
the painting, aims to provide the disadvantaged on the State’s waiting list for
vital cataract surgery with optimal professional care, in the best environment
within the private sector at no cost to the patient.
Graciously sponsored by Cecil and Devyani
Reddy of Mcdonald Holdings, The Long Gaze
at Freedom now occupies pride of place in the Durban headquarters of KPMG;
the winning bidders for the acclaimed work.
Mandela
Long Walk to Freedom is an Anant Singh production
of a Justin Chadwick film, and earned over R4.4-million in its first weekend,
emerging as the highest grossing film in South Africa’s history. It has also
out-grossed the opening weekend box office of some of the biggest studio films
of the year, including Hunger Games –
Catching Fire, World War Z, Wolverine and The Hangover 3.
The
Long Gaze at Freedom is one of a series of five.
For more information contact Philani Luthuli on 076 139 1885.
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