Artist carves his path to worldwide recognition
Azwimpheleli Magoro (49), a world-class artist plies his trade and turns wood that he finds in the veld into masterpieces.
THOHOYANDOU – IN the small village of Muledane, near Thohoyandou, a world-class artist plies his trade and turns wood that he finds in the veld into masterpieces.
Azwimpheleli Magoro (49) says he has no formal training, but he loves working with wood and he supports his family through the sales of his sculptures.
He explains that he was an unknown artist when he entered an art competition in 2009 and won first place in Limpopo.
He went on to the national final round of the competition that was hosted by the national department of arts and culture, where his artwork was put on display with the other finalists.
“For years I went on with my life as usual and in 2013, a re-presentative of the International Wood Culture Society (IWCS) contacted me and told me they saw some of my work on display and they wanted me to enter international competitions,” he says.
The IWCS is a non-profit organisation, based in California in the US, dedicated to advocate a harmonious coexistence between nature and people and to explore the value of wood from an artistic, cultural point of view.
Magoro says he entered the Wood is Good competition in Tanzania later that year where his artwork competed against the works of artists from 30 countries. He won.
He explains how he jetted off to China to compete in another Wood is Good competition which he won again.
“In October last year I went back to China and competed in the Carving the Future competition in Dongyang City. I won third place.”
Magora says he is proud of his achievements because he has worked with people from many countries and won many titles. He also says that he enjoys working with other artists because he learns a lot from them.
“Each artist has a different style and the tools we use are quite different too,” he explains.
He admits that creating sculptures is expensive and sometimes he cannot afford to buy the tools he needs.
He says he also has trouble when he has to transport his sculptures to places as far as Cape Town and Johannesburg to take part in exhibitions.
Magoro says he uses dry wood that he finds in the veld.
His wife, Mashudu, says she is proud of her husband’s achievements and for everything he has done for their family.
She says that sometimes they miss him when he travels to compete, but they support his career.
The father of four says sculpting takes a lot of time and he misses a lot of family time because it can take up to one month to complete a sculpture of about 1,6m high.
However, he enjoys every moment of his work.
