Notes

Percy Konqobe was born in Nigel in 1939. He left school at an early age, was employed in several jobs and spent time in prison before receiving the calling to become a sangoma (traditional healer). This shift informed his art, both as a source of inspiration and as a system for generating symbolism and meaning. The present lot, Ntsika Being Blessed by his Father, is a testament to this.

The sculptor Sydney Khumalo was an important mentor and source of inspiration to Konqobe. In the early 1980s Konqobe visited Europe and attended Shaman Symposia, showing some of his pieces there. During this period he came to the attention of German collectors and sponsors. He held an exhibition ‘Percy Konqobe: Xhosa, Sangoma, Sculptor, South Africa’ at the Art Centre in Berlin (sponsored by the influential Dreyer Stiftung, Munich) from June to September 2009.

A copy of the exhibition catalogue accompanies the lot.

Literature

Dreyer Stiftung (2009) Percy Konqobe: Xhosa/Sangoma/Bildhauer Südafrica, exhibition catalogue, Munich: Dreyer Stiftung, similar works illustrated.