Context (CMS Context)
(Bio) 'Born in Soweto outside Johannesburg in September 1959, Velaphi Mzimba's colourful paintings reflect the vibrancy and rapidly evolving environment of South Africa's black townships. Although he was deeply involved in the struggle for liberation against apartheid, his work shows no hint of anger or pain. Instead his paintings have an infectious optimism that warms all viewers. This richness of spirit combined with an extraordinary technical virtuosity has no doubt led to the success that he has experienced over the last few years.

Mzimba's huge faces, young boys with heads made out of squashed cans and complex mixed-media landscapes grace many public, corporate and private collections worldwide. This success is not built upon clever marketing or the vagaries of fashion. Mzimba's work constantly surprises and challenges his followers. Huge brooding and richly-painted portraits of proud tribesman and women are painstakingly painted in his studio. These monumental works, which drain his energies, are interspersed with impish playful works that are often created from a myriad of seemingly-unconnected found objects. Somehow in Mzimba's hands they are joined together to form intelligent and wonderfully decorative comments on everyday life in South Africa.

Having recently turned his hand to sculpting, Mzimba brings the same fascination with the wholesomeness of the everyday. His one-man show in Cape Town of his first bronzes was an exciting departure for the artist, the development of which we have watched with growing intrigue.' [From http://www.velaphimzimba.co.za/?m=1&idkey=525, accessed 27/08/2014].
Event Date 27/8/2014
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (CMS Context)
Presented by The Art Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. An acquisition project to build a collection of modern and contemporary work on paper from Australia, Canada and South Africa was undertaken over 2011-13 with the support of a grant under The Art Fund's RENEW programme. The collection was developed with the expert advice and generous assistance of Annie Coombes and Norman Vorano in relation to South African and Inuit artists respectively. Khadija Carroll, Anita Herle and Diana Wood Conroy also contributed to the selection process. Obtained from Robyn Nesbitt, Artist Proof Studio Curator, The Bus Factory, 3 President Street, West Entrance, Newtown Cultural Precinct, Newtown/ PO Box 664, Newtown, 2113, Gauteng, Johannesburg.

Part of the Portfolio 'Volatile Aliliances', 1995 with 23 prints (2014.258 - 2014.280), edition 50/65. Participating artists included Paul Molete, Gordon Gabashane, Nhlanhla Xaba, Joe Ndlovu, Simon Mthimkhulu, Ezekiel Budeli, Pepe Jose Abela, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi, Philippa Hobbs, Dominic Tshabangu, Giulio Tambellini, Moleleki Frank Ledimo, Lothar Riedel, Mbongeni Richman Buthelezi, Velaphi Mzimba, Elvin Sefati Nethononda, Sokhaya Charles Nkosi, Vincent Baloyi, Simon Sejake, Durant Sihlali, Diane Victor, Muzi Donga and Kim Berman.
Event Date 27/8/2014
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Etching by Velaphi Mzimba titled 'Free at Last', 1994. Edition: 50/65. Inscribed, signed and dated: '50/65 Free at last Velaphi Mzimba 94/'. Condition: Good.Part of the Volatile Alliances 1995 portfolio, edition 50/65.
Event Date 27/8/2014
Author: maa