IN alliance with a local artist, The Pearls Mall is commemorating the life of the father of the rainbow nation Nelson Mandela. From Friday 13 July to Sunday 22 July, the Mall will host an exhibition of wax sculptures depicting the life of the late president. The sculptures were chiseled by Durban’s world renowned artist Lungelo Gumede.
“We are thrilled to have the skilled and talented Lungelo Gumede exhibit his Nelson Mandela wax sculpture collection at Pearls Mall. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we are delighted we could bring this to our patrons and the greater Durban community,” said Yolande(add kapie on e) Mattison, Pearls Mall Retail Manager.
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Gumede graduated in a Bat Centre Residency Programme for Visual Arts in 2003 and pursued his passion at the Durban University of Technology, where he obtained his national diploma in Fine Arts four years later.
“My work has featured in many homes, galleries and festivals around the world; but, I am proud that this, my first formal exhibition, is in my home town,” said Gumede.
His career started blooming in 2004 wgen he was selected to represent Durban Youth at the Global Youth Parliament in Rome, Italy. His artworks are now featured in various superstars’ homes including Oprah Winfrey.
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“I am honoured to be exhibiting my Mandela Collection for the first time to mark such an incredible occassion – the commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s centenary,” added Gumede.
Pearls Mall’s Mattison went on to say, “The exhibition is timely especially as we celebrate Madiba’s 100th birthday, and Mandela Day on 18 July. We want visitors who engage with Lungelo’s life-like sculptures to be inspired by Madiba’s life and follow the Mandela Day message which is “Take Action, Inspire Change and Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”
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