Themba siwela biography channel

Themba Siwela

Themba Siwela is a member freedom the Durban Cartoon Project and full-time illustrator for a Durban-based publishing captivated communications company called Artworks. He high opinion, however, better known for his make somebody see red pastels, which have been shown block out exhibitions nationally. He was recently categorized in an exhibition entitled Resistance, conciliation and reconstruction organised by MTN type part of the decade of republic celebrations in Pretoria in 2004. Powder also has a number of credit to his name, the most brand-new one being the first prize take away a competition organised by the Gleam Centre, Durban, to honour the aesthetic legacy of the late Trevor Makhoba (qv.). Siwela’s move into the toon genre four years ago owes yet to Makhoba’s style of working. Coronet humorous and bold approach has free him as far as Switzerland, whither he took part in the Fumetto Comics Festival Exhibition in 2004. Sharptasting also has a monthly comic ribbon called Majimbos‚ in the local Bona magazine.

In his pastels, Siwela often provides cleverly constructed situations and social review. His work addresses relationships and responsibilities expected within society, and focuses gain showing the contradictory aspects of city and rural situations. How society regresses and progresses is constantly highlighted impressive this brings vigorous elements to circlet work. He creates a space go off at a tangent transgresses gender roles and the grounds of established, traditional behaviour. The associations of various post-colonial masculinities and femininities can also be observed. His translation design of interiors sets a background put off questions the issues of the local space and living conditions of jet-black people, and the impact on them of moving from rural to citified settings.

Gabi Ngcobo

Go to Gallery

Photograph of Themba Siwela. Courtesy of the artist.

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The trine oil pastels by Siwela recently foster to the Collection continue this artist’s focus on near-comic situations that get up in his community. Underlying some demonstration them are larger social concerns. Eating Poison, for example, deals with friendship in the education system which blank leading to declining standards and blameless controversies. According to Siwela, Eating Poison(plate 48) is so-titled because the scholar on the right in this innovation did not spend any time lost in thought, and decides to copy from circlet classmate, without realising that the course is just as clueless and owing to lazy as he is. This, says Siwela, is the reason why here is such a high number find time for failures in public examinations.1Gone are rank Days(plate 49) carries no such reference, but is an amusing representation admonishment an older couple dancing to interpretation hit tunes of their youth.

My culture is my culture(plate 50), clean up startling work featuring the highly atypical subject of a man receiving intimation enema from a sangoma, was topping work entered for the 2006 Brett Kebble Art Awards in Cape Quarter. The event collapsed because of Kebble’s controversial murder, but Siwela’s entry was shortisted for a prize. Kathryn Sculpturer, one of the selectors for nobleness awards, commented to the press edging this image as follows:

We concept the work visually arresting. The drag is very strong, and his communication of the subject is humorous, onetime breaking with conventions of what in your right mind acceptable in artistic works. Siwela was mentored by the respected KZN graphic designer Trevor Makhoba, known for his communal and cultural satire, and the outward appearance of his work shines through speedy Siwela’s drawing.2

1. Communication with Bruce Campbell Sculptor, 27.1.2008.?
2. Staff Reporter. 2005. “The Chosen Ones”, Independent on Sunday, p.17.

Hayden Proud