Sculptor : Nhlanhla Nsudwane

Nhlanhla was born at Winterton in KwaZulu Natal in July 1962 to a Swazi father and zulu mother.He contracted polio when he was a child and was left physically handicapped, but showed the inner strength of a giant when he discovered a love for sculpting, which he started on at the age of five.Despite a superstitious mother who destroyed all his work, he continued creating figures in secret.

Nhlanhla was only able to spend one year at school due to lack of family support.However, after a difficult early life, in 1992 he and his wife Matrina found their true home at Ardmore with Fèe Halsted-Berning.For several years he and his wife worked together, he sculpting and she painting his pieces.This special relationship tragically came to an end in 1994 when Matrina was fatally struck by lightning.

Nhlanhla - a prophet and philosopher - has continued to develop as an artist and shows his kindness to others in his teaching of the many recruits he introduces to Ardmore.Although widely known for his sculpted figures such as his Prince Imperial and Zulu War collections, his rabbit teapot and other decorative pieces, with their naïve charm and humour, raised huge interest at Christie's auction in London, leaving no doubt of his exceptional talent

Collections:
  • Tatham Gallery, Pietermaritzburg
  • Heutches Museum, Dusseldorf
Awards:
  • 1992
    • Novice Prize, Natal Regional Ceramic Exhibition, Pietermaritzburg
Exhibitions:
  • 1992-1997
    • Gallery on Tyrone, Johannesburg
  • 1992
    • Natal Regional Ceramic Exhibition, Pietermaritzburg
  • 1994
    • Spirit of Our Stories Print Exhibition, Grahamstown
    • NSA Gallery, Durban
  • 1996
    • Natal Biennial, Pietermaritzburg
  • 1997
    • Meklenberg, Groote Schuur, Cape Town
    • State President's Guest House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria
    • Catalyst Gallery, JHB
    • S.A. National Ceramic Show Pretoria
  • 1998
    • Long House, East Hampton , NY , USA
    • Running Ridge, SantaFe , USA
    • S.A. Embassy Res., Bonn , Germany
    • Marl Concert Hall, Marl , Germany
    • Essen Exhibition, Germany
    • Everad Reid Gallery and launch of the book, Johannesburg
  • 1999
    • Thyssen Forum, Dusseldorf , Germany
    • Labia, Muizenburg, Cape Town
    • Bordeaux St Gallery, Franshoek
    • Prince Imperial and Zulu War Exh.Standard Bank, Johannesburg
    • Prince Imperial and Zulu War Exh.Tatham Gallery, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2001
    • Anglo Zulu War, International Ceramics Festival, Wales
    • Hospice Exhibition, Johannesburg
    • S.A Embassy, Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
  • 2002
    • Charles Greig Jewellers
  • 2003
    • Christies Exhibition, London , Jan
  • 2004
    • Christies Auction, London , Jan
    • City Arts Council, Edinburgh , Scotland
    • Men of Ardmore , Gallery on Square
  • 2005
    • Private Exhibition by S.A. High Commisioner 'Highveld,' High St , Kensington, London
Publications:
  • 1999
    • Ardmore an African Discovery, Gillian Scott-Berning, Fernwood, Cape Town