(The Stations of the
Cross carved in thombothi wood by Joel Mbuyisa at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Catholic Church in Mangete, South Africa.
Pic courtesy of http://www.lagleder.net/easter/lent/stations.htm)
Running at the
Durban Art Gallery is an exhibition titled Visions
and Dreams by Joel Mbuyisa.
Joel Mbuyisa was
born in Mahlabathini in northern KwaZulu-Natal on February 3, 1946. He received
his education in mission schools around his area as well as Roman Catholic
Mission schools. As any boy his age, Mbuyisa spent his time herding his family
livestock. While the stock was grazing, Mbuyisa and his friends would make
animal and human forms using clay from the river bed iMfolozi emnyama (Black
IMfolozi) and also scribbling on the ground images of what he had seen or read
about at school.
The pastime
creative experience grew with Mbuyisa until he was a teenager and could copy
images from books and other literature as well as using his imagination to make
images. This talent was noticed by his teachers and the local priest who
encouraged him to attend a Catholic boarding school where he was introduced to
craft work and technical subjects like carpentry.
The introduction to
carpentry opened doors for him to explore products that are expressive and this
was when he started carving images of the Catholic sculptures of the Madonna,
Christ and those of the Apostles and Saints.
The shift from clay
models to more realism of the outdoor plaques came about from his interaction
with priests and mission schooling and was an awesome feeling for him when,
from a simple log of wood, he could create an amazing sculpture that adorns the
cathedral gardens and churchyard.
After he left
school Mbuyisa went to Johannesburg and worked at steel factory as a welder and
also getting side jobs of making burglar guards etc. However in the mid-2000s,
he returned to his home at Mahlabathini and met with Musa Shamase a facilitator
at Indonsa Arts Centre. It is through
this interaction that the Durban Art Gallery has shown interest in working with
the iNdonsa Arts Centre in this exhibition.
The Durban Art Gallery is situated on the second floor of
the Durban City Hall, entrance in Anton Lembede (formerly Smith) Street opposite
the Playhouse. More information on 031 311 2262/6.
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