Derrick Nxumalo's solo exhibition, Our Africa Dreams, opens in the KZNSA
Mezzanine Gallery on May 23 and will present the vibrant works of this KZN
artist.
Nxumalo’s bright colour and graphic
representations of landscapes and cityscapes describe his dreams and ideas for
the future.
He has developed a unique style using his
imagination and experience and has come up with work of intricate and
intriguing quality. His work is based on acute observation, in the past often
omitting the physical human presence, with the details of vegetation and
architecture deployed with an absorbing understanding of perspective and colour
in its purest form.
In his latest body of work, Our Africa Dreams, Nxumalo’s
environments are peopled; close-ups of three women, or a large crowd of bathers
at the beachfront. They too occupy a bright and graphic presence amidst the
detailed cityscapes and landscapes.
“My work is different from that of other
artists because I use different colours which are bright and different in style
and design. Each and every piece I do is not the same. Any work I do has got
its own pattern. When I want to start a painting I must collect materials first
and then I have to choose an image. I cannot work fast because of the paint and
details of my work.”
Nxumalo was born in Dumisa near Scottburgh
in 1962. A former gardener, miner and waiter, he added politician in 2003, when
he was elected as councillor for the district of Dududu in KwaZulu-Natal. A
self-taught artist, he has adopted an exploratory approach to his technique and
subject matter. Initially he drew detailed landscapes with ball-point and
felt-tipped pens and now also works in acrylic paint.
He has participated in exhibitions in South
African and abroad, including the Spier Contemporary 2010, the Standard Bank
Arts Festival, the Durban Art Gallery, the Zabalaza Art Festival, Oxford, UK,
the Arnolfi Gallery, London, L’Altra Contemporaneous, Goodman Gallery,
Johannesburg, The KZNSA, Durban and the African Art Centre, Durban.
His work is represented in numerous major
art collections.
Our
Africa Dreams opens on May 23 at 17h30 for 18h00 and runs until June 11. The KZNSA Gallery is
situated at 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277 1705,
fax 031 201 8051 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsagallery.co.za
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