ENOCH TSHABALALA INK AND PEN ON PAPER

ENOCH TSHABALALA INK AND PEN ON PAPER.SIZE 30CM BY 25.5CM UNFRAMED.

Enoch Mandlenkosi Tshabalala’s family moved from KwaZulu-Natal to live in Johannesburg in 1945 when he was four years old. At first they lived in Kliptown, but they later settled in Soweto in the year that it was established on the periphery of Johannesburg. Soon after this Tshabalala contracted polio. After treatment at the Johannesburg General Hospital, he was bedridden for a long time. This was a major set-back in terms of his schooling. When he regained the use of his arms, his mother brought him coloured crayons and paper, and he began to draw his surroundings. He also took a keen interest in music. In 1959 he was employed to paint curios, and took on the job out of financial necessity. He was later encouraged to study under Cecil Skotnes (qv.) at the Polly Street Art Centre.

A major influence on his artistic career was his meeting with Dumile Feni (qv.) in 1964, and after this his style shifted towards Feni’s to a notable degree. This is evident in the attenuated expressionism in this single work by Tshabalala in the Campbell Smith Collection. He launched himself as a full-time artist in 1966. Although he still wears calipers as a result of his illness, Tshabalala has managed to live a normal life. He has married and has four children and continues to live and work in Johannesburg. He now works mainly in watercolour and acrylic.

SHIPMENT WILL COST R100,PAYMENT MUST BE DONE WITHIN 24HRS AFTER THE AUCTION SALE.