Fikile Patrick MAGADLEDA (1952 – 2003)
Sages
1983
coloured pencils on paper
31 x 50 cm
BIOGRAPHY
Fikile Patrick Magadlela was celebrated for his contributions to the Black Consciousness movement and his deeply evocative, mystical works. Born in Newclare, Johannesburg, Magadlela demonstrated an early passion for art, drawing on his parents’ walls as a child. Although largely self-taught, he benefited from mentorship and collaboration with renowned artists such as Bill Ainslie, Harold Jeppe, Ezrom Legae and Winston Saoli. His development as an artist was further shaped by the broader Johannesburg art scene.
Magadlela became a full-time artist in 1973. His works were characterised by a combination of African surrealism and mythology, combined with resistance politics. While his early creations focused on figures, flowers, and landscapes, he later explored abstract mystical landscapes, often incorporating poetry and bold use of colour.
Magadlela’s first solo exhibition was at the Goodman Gallery in 1978 under the direction of Linda Givon. Thereafter, his work was exhibited in various prominent galleries, including the UNISA Art Gallery in 1995, which hosted a retrospective of his work. His piece, Birth of the Second Creation, exemplifies his ability to blend African identity with spiritual and mythological elements.
Throughout his career, Magadlela remained committed to social and cultural issues. He was a co-founder of the Soweto Art Association, which sought to uplift black artists during the Apartheid era. His art has been exhibited globally and is included in significant collections, such as those at the Iziko South African National Gallery and the University of Fort Hare.