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Somandla Ntshalintshali was born on the 13th September 1980, at the Ardmore Farm, Winterton. Somandla did his education at Mountain View Primary School. Somandla worked at Meadowsweet Herb Farm, he only worked for 6 months. Somandla is not married, and has no children. He is passionate about horses.
Somandla started at Ardmore in 2003, he is the brother of Christopher Ntshalintshali and the son of Africa and Paulos, and half step cousin to Bonnie Ntshalintshali. Somandla started as a Gardener at Ardmore, and was cutting the lawns. Moses Nqubuka offered him the opportunity to sculpt.
Somandla’s favourite animal are the Birds, Fish and Crocodiles. Somandla’s favourite items to sculpt are Bowls, Dishes and Candlesticks. Somandla has created his own unique style.
“When I was cutting the grass, I used to go into the Studio during lunch time, and play with the clay. When I was playing with the clay, Fee Halsted-Berning came and she recommended my pieces, then I knew that I can do it, by recommending my work, I felt the power to carry on and I felt happy”.
Somandla’s sculptures flow with a lyrical grace, and he is more concerned with form. He uses animal forms, merely as vehicles to which he then elongates them to flow around his forms. Eg. A Crocodile swings around in a circle to create a wonderfull bowl, and birds with exaggerated necks create candlesticks.
Exhibitions:
- 2004
- Christies Auction, London.
- City Arts Council, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Men of Ardmore, Gallery on the Square, Johannesburg.
- 2005
- “Highveld” Private Exhibition of High Commissioner, Lindiwe Mbusa, London.
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