​Contemporary South African Art

David Uhuru (meaning Freedom) Hlongwane

Born 1963

 

David Hlongwane completed a four year course at the Academia di Belle Arte in Perugia in 1991. Today he teaches art to the juveniles in prisons with an empathy born of his own incarceration as a result of his activities in the struggle. Deeply concerned by the challenges posed by our multicultural society, he participates regularly in cultural conferences here and abroad. He liases with the communities and the South African National Gallery and has helped with memorial exhibitions for AIDS victims.

 

David has completed commissions for the Ministry of Water Affairs, Sekunga Alo Investments and Schoenstatt. He has participated in group exhibitions- the 1998 United Nations in Geneva Switzerland, as well as many held at various venues in S.A. David’s work is to be found in collections in Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Italy and America.

 

David Hlongwane was born in Zwelethemba Township, Worcester in the Cape Province in 1963. He completed his high school education at Vuyisile High School in Worcester and, joined C.A.P. [Community Arts Project] in 1984, after reading about it in Grassroots, a community newspaper. When his brother, who had been supporting him, was killed (probably by the police during a demonstration) he had to give up his studies. As a result of his activities in the ‘struggle’ during the Apartheid era he was arrested several times.In prison he had time to explore his artistic talent, which he then made into his profession. With the support of the Italian Government, David Hlongwane was offered a full grant in 1988 to study art in Perugia, a small town near Florence, for one year. His experience as a student deepened his understanding of the necessity for a better and more intense education in South Africa.His art found expression in many posters, banners and pamphlets, as well as in his sculptures and paintings. The artist is well known in South Africa where he was the winner of the 1995 Mayibuye Center Sculpture Competition. His work was also well received in the U.S.A., Italy and Germany.

 

EXHIBITIONS

2014Telling our story; group exhibition at The Cape Gallery

2012Siyakubona, group exhibition at The Cape Gallery

2005 Participated in the group exhibition “Encompass” at the Cape Gallery

 

The following excerpt is taken from Live Visions AFP EXHIBITION in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights held 10 – 21 August 1998 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The exhibition was held as part of the Fete d’Excellence and with the kind support of the City of Geneva. For many years the artist is living his vision that a better world can only be created if all people and especially the artists use their creative skills and work on it.

 

David is living what he preaches: a few years ago he was stabbed and blinded in one of his eyes by a friend in an argument. When he spoke about the incident there was forgiveness rather than anger. He was thankful that he could continue to work with one eye.