VUYISANI MGIJIMA (b. 1962)
Unification
1994
linocut
size unknown
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Cape Town, Vuyisani Mgijima moved quite frequently in his early years, growing up in Gugulethu, Cape Town, Herschel in the Transkei, Port Elizabeth and Alice in the Eastern Cape.
He currently lives in Lost City, Tafelsig, part of Mitchell’s Plain on the Cape Flats. The daily struggles of township life contrast strongly with Mgijima’s memories of his early years in Herschel, where he would spend his time roaming the mountains, herding cattle, swimming in rivers and making craftwork, especially with clay. In his work, the constraints imposed by wire fences and the harsh realities of poverty and township life are balanced by his observation of ritual celebrations in the Transkei.
Mgijima’s uncle, a preacher, with whom the artist lived in the Eastern Cape, made enquiries about the summer and winter school art programmes offered at the University of Fort Hare in Alice, which is where Mgijima ‘fell more in love with art’.
When Mgijima saw a pamphlet publicising the Community Arts Project (CAP), sensing that it was a progressive institution, he pleaded with his uncle to allow him to apply there.
In 1988, Mgijima returned to the city of his birth and joined CAP.
At the end of his second year, his work was part of the final year exhibition and caught the attention of Barbara Pitt from the Foundation School of Fine Art in Observatory, who subsequently sponsored Mgijima’s studies at the school.
Jonathan Commerford of Hardground Printmakers was a mentor to Mgijima, who was, in turn, a mentor to Ricky Dyaloyi.
‘I work from imagination. I don’t own a camera. I work from what’s inside of me,’ says Mgijima.
Although he has been living in Cape Town for many years, Mgijima keeps childhood memories and family traditions alive. The son of a sangoma, he practises traditional purification and healing rituals.
Since 1988, Mgijima has participated in numerous group exhibitions. His work is represented in the Iziko South African National Gallery and also in private and corporate collections here and abroad.