THE African Art Centre on Florida Road is exhibiting work by local artist, S’thenjwa Luthuli. Having enrolled for the Velobala Saturday art classes, hosted by the African Art Centre at Durban University of Technology, Luthuli says these classes helped develop his skills and encouraged him to explore his creative side.
The programme offers visual art instruction and fine art education to young black artists living far from the traditional urban clusters of arts infrastructure.
As evidence of Luthuli’s talent, dedication and commitment he was selected to take part in the Velobala Mentorship Programme in 2012.
In an interview with Tonight, the artist, 23, spoke about his art and what his work represents: “At a very early age I was creative. By the time, I turned 12, I knew art was for me. In 2009, I met an artist, S’bonelo Luthuli, and he introduced me to the BAT Centre art classes.”
Specialising in wood cut and painting, Luthuli’s work primarily invests in transitions architecture in suburban spaces (townships) and the one in the cityscape.
“Through my work, I try to do something that’s never been done before. If I’m doing a wood cut or painting, I make sure it’s a unique kind of work.”
Luthuli is inspired by a number of artists including Edward Hopper, Gerald Sekotom Ephraim Ngatane and Yinka Shonibare. He has also been a participatory artist in many group exhibitions in KwaZulu-Natal and Joburg.
A highlight in Luthuli’s career is having participated in an exhibition in Bremen, Germany, where he completed a mural project in the Concordia tunnel, which runs along the Schwachhauser highway in Bremen.
Asked about his biggest challenge as an artist, he says: “I need a bigger working space. So that limits my work in terms of size because I can’t do big scales.”
Luthuli’s work is displayed in several private and corporate collections and in the international collection of the Städtische Galerie in Bremen, Germany.
• The exhibition runs at the African Art Centre, 94 Florida Road until tomorrow. For more information, call 031 312 3804