A Tribute to Wonderboy (Thokozani) Nxumalo, Leading Ardmore Ceramicist

4 August 2008

Wonderboy Nxumalo was passionate about life. As an artist and person, he shared his joy and wisdom with a caring, generous spirit that inspired hope and happiness. Those who knew him will remember a man whose diminutive stature and soft-spoken demeanor were matched only by his powerful creative voice and his enormous capacity to love.

Born in Greytown in 1975, Nxumalo demonstrated a youthful affection and talent for drawing. His mother’s employer, Mrs. Pam Rawden Turner, recognized his artistic promise and led him to Fee Halstead-Berning of Ardmore Ceramic Art. Here, he began an apprenticeship in 1994. Struck by Nxumalo’s use of verse in his work, Halsted-Berning encouraged Nxumalo to further develop this unique style, rather than imitating other painters. Nxumalo relished this opportunity and found inspiration in printmaking studies under Malcolm Christian at Caversham Press and the work of Namibian printmaker John Muafangejo.

Nxumalo, discovered the potential of ceramics to connect with people and communicate his love of life through storytelling. He developed a captivating ceramic style which is prized by international collectors for its provocative poetry and surprising fusion of distinct elements. He balanced lyrical motifs with technical precision; universal themes with subjective perspectives; aesthetics with social commentary. His pieces exude an honest simplicity, a directness that delights the mind and touches the heart.

Nxumalo’s artistic method showcases the physical properties of his materials. Using an intaglio technique, he delicately scratched away color from the painted surface of clay to reveal words of inspiration, guidance and insight. His process softly suggested that we can all find answers if we are willing to work and look more deeply at our world.

The Bonnie Ntshalintshali Museum at Ardmore Caversham features outstanding examples of Nxumalo’s work. As a part of the Zulu History and Cultural Collection, these pieces showcase Nxumalo’s commentary on the Anglo-Zulu Wars and the contemporary HIV/AIDS pandemic. This museum will be officially opened on Sunday 21 September and all are invited to come and view Nxumalo’s works.

During the 14 years that Wonderboy Nxumalo spent at Ardmore, he made a very special contribution to the development of globally renowned ceramic enterprise. Nxumalo travelled to Ardmore exhibitions that prominently featured his work at Groote Schuur in Cape Town and Christies in London and he attended the International Ceramic Festival in Wales as a guest artist. He was known for his selfless devotion and his commitment to fellow artists. He showed only boundless patience and a willingness to share his knowledge with them so that, one day, they might realize the promise of their own potential. He was unerringly proud of them all.

Fee Halsted, founder of Ardmore, pays a special tribute to Nxumalo.
“Wonderboy developed an art all his own. It was the art of giving. He watched over aspiring talent with the same patience he showed when he was drawing and painting. He had an uncanny sensitivity; he always knew when other artists and myself needed a lift. Last September, he arrived with a birthday gift, a month ahead of its time. When I asked why an early gift he replied `You need it today!’ The gift was an angel with a note attached: `Thanks for being a good teacher for everyone. Ardmore star teacher to me since 1994.’ Sunday, the day that Wonderboy died, was a sad day in my life. But today, we celebrate his incredible talent, his love and his great success.”
Wonderboy Nxumalo was a special man who left us precious gifts – his legacy and an understanding of the meaning to life. His last words on the piece he was working on before he died read, “We have this world to enjoy life together and be peaceful.”


Wonderboy Nxumalo died at his home in Greytown on Sunday, August 3. He is survived by his mother Glodia Kanyile, sister Londie Nxumalo and his to be wife Sibongele Sikhosana. His life will be celebrated at a memorial service scheduled for Saturday, August 9 at 12 o’clock at Entembisweni Location in Greytown. Contributions to honor Wonderboy may be made to the Ardmore Excellence Fund (Section 21 Company), which is dedicated to training, health and wellness of Artists and their families at Ardmore Ceramic Art.

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