The Art and Times of Nhlanhla Ben Nsusha
His exhibition is a reflection of his observations of people and society and includes ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and painting.
THUNGA Uthimule (‘Sew and Sneeze’) – the Art and Times of Nhlanhla Ben Nsusha, is an astonishing mixed media retrospective exhibition at the Durban Art Gallery. Born in 1947 in Umzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, and now residing in Dobsonville, Ben Nsusha is a critically-acclaimed artist with a 40-year career in which his work has been exhibited locally and abroad.
Nsusha is renowned for his skill in mixing materials and techniques and for his attention to detail. His exhibition is a reflection of his observations of people and society and includes ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and painting.
“Ben Nsusha is a multi-talented artist who uses a variety of materials ranging from oil paints, prints, ceramic sculpture and sculpture in wood and metal. From Rorke’s Drift Art School to the Slade Arts School in London, he has executed public sculptures in the UK and elsewhere. He has lectured in universities in South Africa and exhibited his work worldwide, drawing critical acclaim. Nsusha’s voice as an artist is unique and commands respect,” said Prof Pitika Ntuli, who spoke at the exhibition opening.
Lecturer in Social and Visual Anthropology, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Manchester, Leopold Ivan Bargna commented on the exhibition, said the title in isiZulu solidifies its ancestral calling. “The title of this exhibition is Thunga Uthimule. It speaks to rupture, dreams torn apart and need to be urgently sown lest we lose ourselves. When we sneeze, we say ‘Makhosi’. We invoke the power of the ancestors. The titles of the artworks are in Zulu to root them in their native culture that in itself is fast becoming a rainbow bird,” said Bargna.
“Thunga Uthimule celebrates one of South Africa’s great artists whose diversity of media, themes and materials is phenomenal and characterised by originality of concepts and ideas as well as exquisite technical expertise,” he added.
Nsusha works with materials such as leather patches, buttons, electric wire of different colours, fabric and even R10 notes. The exhibition is currently on at the Durban Art Gallery and runs until Monday, 25 January. The Durban Art Gallery is situated on the second floor, City Hall, Anton Lembede (Smith) Street (opposite The Playhouse). For more information, call 031 311 2262/6.
