An exhibition of paintings by Sokhaya Charles Nkosi was held at the Art Centre in July 1990. Nkosi was born in Durban in 1949 and went to the Rorke's Drift Art School from 1974 to 1976, where he acquitted himself well.
He was a versatile artist. His designs were used in the silkscreen printed fabrics at Rorke's Drift, and were outstanding. He worked as a full-time artist at Mariannhill in 1980 and taught at the Institute's Open School in Durban in 1981 and 1982.
Pulse of Fantasy by Charles Nkosi 1990After that he moved to Johannesburg, where he worked for a number of years as a graphic artist for South African Television. In 1986 he was appointed senior tutor at the African Institute of Art - Funda Soweto. Over the years he has made a major contribution to the artists of Soweto, in the field of community art.
Nkosi's paintings on the exhibition showed that his early talents and training at Rorke's Drift, together with later opportunities, had established him as an important contemporary artist.
Rodney Harber, who opened the exhibition, commented that Nkosi's work had transcended the artistic expression known as 'African art' to a wider South African art. Carol Brown reviewed the exhibition enthusiastically:
"...He has distilled his varied experiences, commencing with the rural atmosphere of Rorke's Drift to the sophistication of Johannesburg with a unique set of images...The works first appear like abstract paintings but on closer inspection realistic images appear."
KwaZulu-Natal Galleries
The interest and support of KwaZulu-Natal Art galleries and museums for the work of the African Art Centre and the artists with whom it was associated, continued to grow in the 1990s.
Our records show the acquisition of a number of important works by the Durban Art Gallery in July 1990. Among them were the portfolio of five linocuts by Gordon Mbatha and Joel Sibisi for R750, a sculpture The Healing of the Drums by Ben Nsusha for R10 000, a sculpture Jonah and the Whale by Vuminkosi Zulu for R400, a linocut Earthbound by Dan Pakgoathe for R300, traditional dolls from Ndwedwe for R115 and a painting, Joyous Uprising, by Charles Nkosi for R1 220.
Yvonne Winters, professional assistant at the Campbell Collections of the University of Natal, supplied the Art Centre with a list of works they had acquired directly from the Art Centre or through introductions to the artists.
The list includes 96 graphic works by artists such as Azaria Mbatha, George Msimang, Tito Zungu, Vuminkosi Zulu and Judus Mahlangu. There are also 52 items ranging from sculpture, telephone wire objects and ceramics to bead-cloth sculptures. Among the sculptors are Vuminkosi Zulu, Raphael Magwaza and Mziwakhe Mbatha. There are 22 pieces of bead-cloth sculpture, eight of which are by Sizakele Mchunu.
The Tatham Art Gallery, the Natal Provincial Administration Museum Services through its senior professional officer Valerie Leigh, and the Local History Museum, have also acquired some outstandingly interesting pieces.
A great celebration for KwaZulu-Natal was the official opening in August 1990 of the new Tatham Art Gallery's premises in the beautifully restored old Supreme Court in Pietermaritzburg. Director Lorna Ferguson will always be remembered for her determination and dedication to the establishment of the new gallery.
A perceptive buyer, she supported many artists associated with the African Art Centre, and they were well represented at the opening exhibition.
There were many familiar pieces, and it was interesting to see traditional bead contemporary artifacts juxtapositioned with conventional fine art works. This was a new approach to display in public galleries - one which has gained ground since.
