Artist honours grandfather in exhibition

I Remember My Grandfather, a collection of artworks, is drawn from stories about his grandfather, told to Tshikhuthula by his father and a neighbour.

“I was named after my grandfather,” he said.

“My name was given to me by our neighbour who was an old woman in our location in Tzaneen. she used to tell me a lot about my grandfather and encouraged me to always stay focused on what I am doing.”

Tshikhuthula said while doing research he discovered that his grandfather had moved to Tzaneen from a rural Venda village in 1964.

“My father told me that when my grandfather arrived in Tzaneen, he worked for a company that manufactured water pipes,” said the artist.

“When he went on pension, he made toolboxes from steel to earn extra money and keep busy. Although he never learned to weld, he joined metals through soldering them together. This is all that my father could tell me.”

These scant details made an impression on the artist, and the image of pipes and pumps used to convey water became symbols that convey something of his revered elder’s presence.

“[The] water pump is a common feature, as my grandfather used to work for a company that repaired water pump pipes,” he said.

“These pumps are outdated by urban standards, but back at home they are still in use and [are] relied upon by surrounding communities. Every time I come across an old pump, I remember my grandfather.”

The exhibition will run from 5 until 26 July at Gallery 2, 140 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood.

Details: 011 447 0155; www.gallery2.co.za