Notes

Jackson Hlungwani, a South African artist based in present-day Limpopo, was known for his unique sculptural style that blended traditional African motifs with modern art forms. One of his most prolific themes was the depiction of fish, which he created using a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and stone. Some of his earlier examples reached lengths of up to three meters, seen recently on exhibit in an artist retrospective at Norval Foundation titled Alt and Omega: Jackson Hlungwani (29 August 2020 to 10 January 2022).¹ Hlungwani's fish sculptures were not only aesthetically pleasing but also held deep spiritual and cultural significance. For Hlungwani, the fish represented the idea of abundance, fertility, and life. He believed that his sculptures had the power to convey these ideas to viewers and create a sense of harmony between humans and nature. The present lot was likely produced by the artist later on in his practice and often finished by an apprentice.

^1.Nessa Leibhammer, Karel Nel and Elizabeth Burroughs (eds)(2022) Jackson Hlungwani, The Norval Foundation, page 270 to 273.

Provenance

The Property of a Collector.

Literature

Nessa Leibhammer, Karel Nel and Elizabeth Burroughs (eds) (2022) Jackson Hlungwani, The Norval Foundation, a similar example illustrated on page 270 with the titled 'Yellow Fish II'.