Sculptor : Zeblon Msele

Zeblon Msele was born in 1967 in Emadolobheni.  He completed Standard 10 at Sizathina High School.  Zeblon intended to study electronic engineering, and gained a Diploma in Basic Electronics through correspondence college. Zeblon has dreams of becoming a DJ.  He has great knowledge on space and the Universe.

Zeblon had been sculpting rhino’s, sharks and other small animals for enjoyment, from clay that he had dug from the local area.  Zeblon is from a creative family, with other members making grass weavings and clothing decorations.

He came to work for Ardmore in 1994, after a friend saw his animals, and introduced him to Fee Halsted-Berning.  Zeblon showed his own unique independent style, right from the
beginning.

Zeblon concentrates on surreal, mythical compositions of stacked animals and insects.  Zeblon also enjoys painting his own works, this is rare at Ardmore.  His colours are quite somber, and his design is full.  His works often include animal headed figures, and one is reminded of Bushmen paintings, and Germany Painter, Heronomus Bosch – often they seem to come from another world of space and science fiction.  His works are filled with energy and rhythms of the world, stars, comets and black holes.

Exhibitions:

• 2000      
  • Absa Bank, Johannesburg.
    
• 2001      
  • Riverleigh HIV Hospice Fundraising Exhibition,  Johannesburg      
  • SA Embassy Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur,  Malaysia
    
• 2002      
  • Untold Tales of Magic, Durban
    
  • Men of Ardmore  -  Gallery on the Square,  Johannesburg
    
• 2003      
  • Christies Exhibition, London
    
• 2004      
  • Christies Auction, London
    
  • City Arts Council, Edinburgh, Scotland.
    
• 2005       
  • “Highveld” Private Exhibition of High Commissioner, Lindiwe Mbusa, London.     

Publications

• 1998
  • Ardmore an African Discovery, Fernwood Press,  Cape Town.