The ArtHouse

As a private commission, “Winnie” represents one of those calculated diversions in the essence and linearity of my work. Please note that I hardly dwell on subject matter that may come across disposed to any form of eulogy towards living souls, let alone the idea of throwing praises towards the bygone personalities without any particular need and that discussion is understood in what my client wanted. He expressed the fact that he admires Winnie’s life with fervent passion and yet averse in general, to the idea of tragedy in art. Andrea truly believes that art should be fun and I agree to a certain extent. So having collected notes of our discussion, the portrayal of the young Winnie Mandela in an imagery manor, or estate of Qunu became the objective. In my imagination, partly due to her graceful beauty, and in contrast to the tragedy of her life, became what I could personally offer to Andrea. I wanted to come up with an unconventional portrait that of Winnie, gracefully expressing her natural beauty. Yet at the same time, I subconsciously refrained from overlooking media current affairs of that particular time. The portrait is heavily symbolic, with one of the most significant symbols being the headdress which today has become a symbol for bleeding treasury to oblivion and the rainbow nation. The portrait was also inspired by the odalisque genre.” ~Johannes Phokela **The artwork is not for sale and has been graciously loaned to the arthouse for this exhibition***