The African Art Centre

        Focus on: William Zulu

William Zulu (1956)

Ndabenhle William was born on Nsengeni farm in the Vryheid district. He attended the Nsengeni Mission School until 1968 where after he transferred to Emondlo Township and attended the Ikhethelihle Lower Primary School.  It was here where he became interested in drawing.  He later attended Thabani Higher Primary School, but as a result of contracting Tuberculosis he was forced to leave school.     

In 1974, William was diagnosed with a spinal problem which after a failed operation at Baragwaneth Hospital left him paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair.  He spent two years (1974 -1976) at the Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital situated in Nqutu where an Occupational Therapist who was working with him discovered his talent for drawing and encouraged the then 20 year old young man to enroll at the ELC Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift.  In 1977, William entered the Art and Craft Centre, the home of some of South Africa’s most famous artists including John Muafangejo, Azaria Mbatha, Bongi Dlomo and Pat Mautla.   It was here where William was introduced to the skills that led him to becoming a renowned linocut artist.  

William remained at Rorke’s drift until the end of 1978 and attests to the fact that it was here where he learnt to be independent and realized what his artistic capabilities were.   In the years following his departure from Rorke’s Drift, the young artist remained at home, struggling to establish himself as an artist and often feeling despondent and discouraged.   In 1981, William made a decision to return to school and enrolled at the Isolumuzi High School, where he completed Form 3.  In 1983, he transferred to Ikhethelo High School where he obtained his matric.   Although he grew up in a time when South Africa was being fraught by political unrest and violence and when black people were being ruthlessly dominated, William never stopped hoping and dreaming of a better future.  

In 1985, William was introduced to the faith of the Jehovah Witnesses and says that “gradually his heart and mind were filled with a new faith that lit the gloomy inner caverns were my fear-filled thoughts lurked” (Zulu, W., Spring will Come. p 214).  William continues to stand firm on his faith and frequently makes reference to his Christianity in his linocuts.  1986 saw the tide changing for William, his works started selling, he reconciled with his parents and he was able to open his first bank account.  

An invitation to participate in his first international exhibition celebrating theunification of East and West in Germany in 1991 was a significant turning point for the artist.  Reflecting on his personal experiences in rural South Africa, the political situation, the devastating effects of apartheid and scriptural messages, sales were good.    William continued to exhibit nationally and internationally and his work is represented in public and private collection in South Africa, including the Durban Art Gallery, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) New York, United States of America.  He held his first solo exhibition at the African Art Centre in 1996 and attests to the impact that the late Jo Thorpe had on his career as an artist living in Durban.  

In 2005, William Zulu’s biography, Spring Will Come, which he spent three years writing, was published by UKZN Press.  In July 2010 the Zulu translation, Liyoze Line Nangakithi, was printed.

Grass Cutters 47/55Lino Print

29.5 x 42 cmR 542.00

Job Seekers 21/55 Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 417.00 

Claypot makers 20/55Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 584.00 

Tilling the hard soil 52/55 Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 417.00 

The wedding cow 23/55Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 542.00

  

We can! 18/55Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 542.00

Love and Care for HIV/AIDS Victims 13/60

Lino Print30 x 30 cmR 667.00

 

The African Art Centre

        Focus on: William Zulu

William Zulu (1956)

Ndabenhle William was born on Nsengeni farm in the Vryheid district. He attended the Nsengeni Mission School until 1968 where after he transferred to Emondlo Township and attended the Ikhethelihle Lower Primary School.  It was here where he became interested in drawing.  He later attended Thabani Higher Primary School, but as a result of contracting Tuberculosis he was forced to leave school.     

In 1974, William was diagnosed with a spinal problem which after a failed operation at Baragwaneth Hospital left him paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair.  He spent two years (1974 -1976) at the Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital situated in Nqutu where an Occupational Therapist who was working with him discovered his talent for drawing and encouraged the then 20 year old young man to enroll at the ELC Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift.  In 1977, William entered the Art and Craft Centre, the home of some of South Africa’s most famous artists including John Muafangejo, Azaria Mbatha, Bongi Dlomo and Pat Mautla.   It was here where William was introduced to the skills that led him to becoming a renowned linocut artist.  

William remained at Rorke’s drift until the end of 1978 and attests to the fact that it was here where he learnt to be independent and realized what his artistic capabilities were.   In the years following his departure from Rorke’s Drift, the young artist remained at home, struggling to establish himself as an artist and often feeling despondent and discouraged.   In 1981, William made a decision to return to school and enrolled at the Isolumuzi High School, where he completed Form 3.  In 1983, he transferred to Ikhethelo High School where he obtained his matric.   Although he grew up in a time when South Africa was being fraught by political unrest and violence and when black people were being ruthlessly dominated, William never stopped hoping and dreaming of a better future.  

In 1985, William was introduced to the faith of the Jehovah Witnesses and says that “gradually his heart and mind were filled with a new faith that lit the gloomy inner caverns were my fear-filled thoughts lurked” (Zulu, W., Spring will Come. p 214).  William continues to stand firm on his faith and frequently makes reference to his Christianity in his linocuts.  1986 saw the tide changing for William, his works started selling, he reconciled with his parents and he was able to open his first bank account.  

An invitation to participate in his first international exhibition celebrating theunification of East and West in Germany in 1991 was a significant turning point for the artist.  Reflecting on his personal experiences in rural South Africa, the political situation, the devastating effects of apartheid and scriptural messages, sales were good.    William continued to exhibit nationally and internationally and his work is represented in public and private collection in South Africa, including the Durban Art Gallery, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) New York, United States of America.  He held his first solo exhibition at the African Art Centre in 1996 and attests to the impact that the late Jo Thorpe had on his career as an artist living in Durban.  

In 2005, William Zulu’s biography, Spring Will Come, which he spent three years writing, was published by UKZN Press.  In July 2010 the Zulu translation, Liyoze Line Nangakithi, was printed.

Grass Cutters 47/55Lino Print

29.5 x 42 cmR 542.00

Job Seekers 21/55 Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 417.00 

Claypot makers 20/55Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 584.00 

Tilling the hard soil 52/55 Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 417.00 

The wedding cow 23/55Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 542.00

  

We can! 18/55Lino Print

42 x 29.5 cmR 542.00

Love and Care for HIV/AIDS Victims 13/60

Lino Print30 x 30 cmR 667.00