Sculpting her own greatness
At 84 years old this Venda sculptor was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from UJ.
Renowned sculptor, Noria Mabasa has accepted an Honorary Doctorate in Art and Design that was conferred upon her by the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
This conferral was part of the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (Fada).
“I have done this work for years and it has put me in many different places. Today, it has led me to UJ-that has placed me among the stars. I am deeply humbled to have this honour bestowed upon me,” she said.
Dr Mabasa was visibly emotional when she had the crimson hood draped over her shoulders amid cheers and ululations. Her family, that accompanied her from Vuwani, Limpopo, could not hold back their joy as they witnessed this moment. She has been practicing and perfecting her artistic practice as a sculptor since 1974. She is a custodian of indigenous knowledge and is a respected teacher who willingly shares her knowledge and skills.
Known for her pottery and wood sculptures, she is a recipient of the 2002 Silver category of the Order of the Baobab, also receiving several other national and international accolades and awards for her outstanding artistry and creativity. Motivated by a series of dreams in which her ancestors spoke to her, she turned to wood as her chosen medium.
As the first Venda woman to work in wood, she broke cultural and gender stereotypes as the material had always been the preserve of male sculptors. Mam Noria’s carvings depict Venda mythology and spirituality, as well as portray traditional ceremonies and the daily lives of those in her community: women, children, and babies. She explores the hardships women suffered under apartheid: violence, loss, and displacement, while dealing with themes of race and gender. Her artworks depict the harsh realities of life in rural areas and strives towards social transformation.
“We applaud the way she has courageously encouraged other women to explore artistic labour, outside of the conventional domains of male art. She has also shared her indigenous knowledge with her community, and the wider world. We believe that it is timeous that Noria Mabasa be recognised for her valuable contribution to cultural life, education, and contemporary art over the last 50 years,” said UJ’s Registrar, Professor Bettine van Vuuren as she introduced Dr Mabasa to the packed auditorium.
She is the second eminent individual to have an Honorary Doctorate conferred on her. Other recipients that will be conferred with Honorary Doctorates include Professor Ibrahim Gambari, a Nigerian scholar-diplomat and Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hillary Beckles.
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