ABOUT SIBUSISO DUMA

Duma is well known for using familiar iconography such as the human figure and rural landscape in his narratives. There’s a consistent approach to his paintings, which despite their stark, bright and electric colors, rolling landscapes and hard shadows look in-depth at important and unresolved issues. Through his analysis of the rural environment, humor and satire prevail and this helps the viewer to understand present social conditions. The use of these personal iconographies and metaphors harvested from everyday life manifests a fine balance between fantasy and reality. Over the past 20 years, his work had been typified by his treatment of the surface, subject matter, composition and the use of space and colour, which collectively create touches of mystery and intrigue.

“His treatment of surface, subject, space and colour is unique in that other issues are not stated directly but are alluded to, thus creating an element of intrigue and wonder” – Gabi Ngcobo, ‘Revisions’ 2006

Duma’s talent was originally noticed and nourished by the late Trevor Makhoba (1956 – 2003) through his Philange Art Project based in Umlazi, a township south of Durban where Makhoba had built a studio space behind his house. From 1994 Duma was under Makhoba’s tutelage and has subsequently shared a stage with Makhoba and another former student, Welcome Danca. Together they held a number of exhibitions at the African Art Centre in Durban. Following Makhoba’s death in 2003, Duma has continued to build on his own narrative. The influence of Makhoba is still visible, but this does more credit than harm. Since 2003 Duma’s paintings have been exhibited frequently including notable solo exhibitions at EBONY/CURATED, Stevenson, ABSA Gallery, Johannesburg and the AVA Gallery, Cape Town. His artworks are held in public and private collections.

Solo Exhibitions

2019 ‘Izixazululo (Solutions)’, EBONY/CURATED, Bordeaux House, Franschhoek, South Africa 2018 Phansi Goes Phezulu Gallery, Durban, South Africa

2012 ABSA Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2010 Artspace, Durban, South Africa

2009 ‘Project 004’ Stevenson, Johannesburg

2008 Association of Visual Arts (AVA), Cape Town, South Africa African Art Centre, Durban, 2002 South Africa

Group Exhibitions

2020 AAGA annual African Galleries Now online edition powered by Artsy, Africa

2018 ‘Vivid Lurid’, Kwazulu Natal Society of Arts, Mezzanine Gallery, Durban, South Africa

2010 ‘Living in KZN’, artSPACE Berlin, Berlin, Germany

2008 ‘Sobathathu’, Joint with Welcome Danca and Bheki Khambule, African Art Centre, Durban, South Africa

2007 ‘BAD: Best of African Design – 100% Zulu’, London, UK

2007 ‘Revisions’, The African Art Centre, Durban, South Africa

2004 Joint exhibition with Welcome Danca , African Art Centre, Durban, South Africa

2000 ‘Makabongwe Ophezulu – Thank God for Creativity’, African Art Centre, Durban, South Africa

2000 ‘Sezenjani Ngengculazi –What are we going to do about Aids?’, African Art Centre, South Africa

1999 ‘Izwe Lethu – Our land’, African Art Centre, Durban, South Africa

1997 Group exhibition with Welcome Danca and Trevor Makhoba, African Art Centre, South Africa

Collections

The Campbell Collections, Durban

Museum Services, Pietermaritzburg

Durban Art Gallery

Bruce Campbell-Smith Collection, Cape Town

Art Bank of South Africa

ABSA Bank

Tathan Art Gallery

Killie Campbell Collection

Publications

“Revisions” The Campbell Smith Collection, Unisa, 2006

SMAC Gallery publication for the Johannesburg Art Fair, 2008