Painter : Winnie Nene

Winnie Nene  was born on the 25th December 1971, at Pofane, in Champagne Valley.   Winnie did her education at Emadolobheni School and left on Standard 2.  She left School because her Father was in Jail, and her Mother asked her to stay with her at home, so that Winnie could help her Mother look after the children.

Winnie worked at Champagne Valley Resort in the Housekeeping Section for 3 years. Winnie was married, to Zulu, and has 5 children.

Winnie found out about Ardmore through Punch Shabalala, who was the girlfriend of Winnie’s brother.  Winnie used to see Punch painting, as well as Jabu Nene. Winnie talked to Mirriam Nqubeni and Mirriam told Winnie to go and speak to Fee Halsted-Berning, and ask her to teach her.  When Winnie got to the Studio, she spoke to Moses Nqubuka, and he offered Winnie a opportunity to paint. 

Winnie Nene started with Ardmore in 1996. Winnie’s favourite animals are Leopards, and she enjoys painting Tureens.  Winnie’s favourite colours are Red, Green and Black.

“I feel very happy by being in Ardmore.  I wish to see my work come to the Top, but I don’t know how.  I wish to myself earning more money to change my living.  I also wish to see Ardmore growing more, than what we are now.”

Winnie is a strong tall woman, and paints alongside Jabu and Zinhle Nene and Rosemary Nikeziwe.

Exhibitions:

• 1997
  
  • Meklenberg, Groote Schuur, Cape Town
  • State President’s Guest House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria
    
  • Catalyst Gallery,  Johannesburg
• 1998
  
  • Marl Concert Hall,  Marl, German
  • Exhibition Essen,  Germany
    
  •  Exhibition Siegen, Germany
    
  • Thyssen Forum,  Dusseldorf,  Germany
    
  • Everard Reid Gallery and Launch of the book
    
  • Ardmore an African Discovery.  Johannesburg
    
• 1999
  
  • Labia,  Muizenburg, Cape Town
  • Bordeaux St Gallery,  Franchshoek, Cape Town.
    
  • Gallery on Tyrone,  Johannesburg
• 2000 
  • Absa Bank,  Johannesburg
    
• 2001
  • Hospice Exhibition,  Johannesburg
  • S.A. Embassy Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    
• 2002      
  • Charles Greig Jewellers, Johannesburg
    
• 2003      
  • Christies Exhibition, London
    
• 2004      
  • Christies Auction, London
    
  • City Arts Council, Edinburgh, Scotland
    
• 2005       
  • “Highveld” Private Exhibition of High Commissioner, Lindiwe Mbusa, London.