Dumile Feni South African, 1939/42-1991
Further images
This rare drawing is a scarce early creation predating Feni's exile. The imagery carries overt political themes that reference the forced removals of families from their homes by the apartheid government and the catastrophic impact that had on
the affected people.
This astonishing drawing was prominently displayed at Feni's first exhibition in Durban at the Natal Society for the Arts, where he was one of the earliest black artists to be granted a solo exhibition. This powerful work showcases the artist's adept graphic and technical prowess, evident in the earliest examples of his work. In subsequent years, Feni's style evolved into a more stylised and expressionistic form, sacrificing formal representation and naturalism. However, this piece highlights his mastery over line, form, and perspective. Such skilfully executed, large-scale examples of his early work are highly uncommon and consequently in high demand.
Among the earliest and most accomplished pieces from the initial phase of his career, this work played a prominent role in the artist's comprehensive exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery in 2005, as well as its associated publication.
Provenance
Private collection, Cape Town.The collection of Ebrahim Badsha.
The collection of Dr Wolfgang Bodenstein.
Exhibitions
Natal Society for Arts, Durban, Trans-Natal Group Show, 1966.Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg, Dumile Feni Retrospective, 31 January - 19 April 2005.