SAMSON MUDZUNGA (b. 1938)
Fundudzi In Honolulu Hawaii
2006
wood carving
size variable
BIOGRAPHY
Samson Ratshilumela Mudzunga was born in Shanzha, Dopeni, in the Nzhelele district of the former homeland of Venda (now Limpopo and Northern Provinces). Although Mudzunga began playing with clay as a child, it wasn’t until much later in life that he became a self-sustaining artist, acclaimed for elusive and fascinating performance events and extraordinary wood carvings, such as his enormous coffin drums.
He is an artist of transformation and process who uses the transformative power of his performances, celebrations and physical sculptures to heal wounds and strengthen his resolve. He has been buried and resurrected on several occasions as part of his work.
He has held solo exhibitions at galleries including Michael Stevenson (2004), Johannesburg Art Gallery (2003), NSA Gallery (2000), Zona Gallery (1990), Thupelo Gallery (1989) and FUBA Gallery (1988).
In 2004, his work was included in New Identities: Contemporary South African Art at Museum Bochum in Germany as well as Personal Affects: Power and Poetics in Contemporary South African Art in New York City.