Notes

A portfolio of 15 hand-printed woodcuts by Lucky Sibiya based on the theatrical play Umabatha by Welcome Msomi. The play portrays historical Zulu events woven around Shakespeare's plot in Macbeth, the time period is early 19th century during the reign of the Zulu kings Shaka and Dingane. Published by Gallery 21, London and Johannesburg, in a limited edition numbered 1 to 225 plus 10 artist's proofs. Printed on handpress by G. Mathies on Schoellerhammer Antik Paper and handbound by J.P. Scott. Johannesburg, 1975.

The 15 woodcuts depict:

Sangomas welcoming Mabatha

Dingane's Fight

Sangomas' Confrontation

The Drums

Mabatha agrees to kill Dingane

Mabatha and the Sangomas

The Assassination

The Nation Mourns

Mabatha is King

The Feasting at Mabatha's Kraal

The Ghosts of Bhangane

The Destruction of Mafudu's Kraal

The Impis

The Death of Kamandonsela

The Death of Mabatha

Literature

Mario Pissarra (ed.) (2011) Visual Century: South African Art in Context Vol. 3, Johannesburg: Wits University Press, other impressions from this edition illustrated in colour on page 46.