Sydney KUMALO (1935 – 1988)

BIOGRAPHY

Sydney Alex Kumalo was a prominent South African sculptor and painter. Born in 1935 in Sophiatown, Kumalo was deeply influenced by the fraught socio-political context of South Africa during his formative years.

He went to school at Madibane High in Diepkloof, Soweto after black people were forcibly removed from Sophiatown, and he later studied at the Polly Street Art Centre, where he was mentored by Cecil Skotnes and honed his skills in sculpture and drawing. The gallery owner Egon Guenther, who visited the Polly Street Art Centre from time to time, showed the artists there images of sculptures and drawings by the German artists Ernest Barlach and Kathe Kollwitz, which served as inspiration for the stylised representations in Kumalo’s work.

Between the years 1958 and 1960, Kumalo visited Eduardo Villa’s studio twice a week, offering him a space to build his sculptural works.

Kumalo’s work is characterised by its exploration of African identity and cultural heritage. He often depicted human and animal figures, drawing inspiration from African art forms and incorporating modern techniques. His sculptures are notable for their dynamic forms and emotional depth, often reflecting the struggles and resilience of the African people.

In the late 1960s, Kumalo gained international recognition, leading to opportunities to exhibit his work in various prestigious galleries. He became a significant figure in the South African art scene, participating in numerous exhibitions, both locally and abroad.

Throughout his career, Kumalo remained committed to mentoring young artists, emphasising the importance of cultural identity in art. His works can be found in various public and private collections.

In 2023, Kumalo’s work was included in Mapping Another Route: South African Artists in a Modern Era, a group exhibition presented by Goodman Gallery London, which featured artists whose work reflects connections between art, politics and society in the latter half of the 20th century. The exhibition expanded on the 2006 exhibition Mapping the Route from the 60s, held at Goodman Gallery Johannesburg, which included works by Kumalo, Dumile Feni, Mmapula Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi, David Koloane and Sam Nhlengethwa.

SOURCES
‘Sydney Alex Kumalo,’ South African History Online, https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/sydney-alex-kumalo.
‘Mapping Another Route,’ Goodman Gallery, https://www.goodman-gallery.com/exhibitions/london-gallery-mapping-another-route-south-african-artists-in-a-modern-era.