Obituary: Gabisile Nkosi
It's with a great sense of loss that Art for Humanity (AFH) reports the tragic death of celebrated KZN artist Gabisile Nkosi in the early hours of May 27, 2008.
Born in 1974 in Umlazi, Durban, Nkosi had built a significant career as an artist in her short life. She received her BTech in Fine Art from the Durban University of Technology in 2002. Thereafter she was based at the Caversham Centre for Artists and Writers in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, facilitating printmaking workshops with well-known artists and local communities.
Nkosi was involved with AFH for almost 10 years with her participation in two of AFH's print portfolio projects. In 2000, Nkosi contributed a linocut, Break the Silence which discouraged the practice of polygamy in rural areas to AFH's 'Break the Silence' HIV/Aids awareness print portfolio. In her artist statement, Nkosi emphasized the important role art plays in advocating social issues, 'If you want to get a message across, it's better to do a colourful visual rather than text. As an artist, I feel privileged to play a role in HIV/Aids awareness through the medium of visual art.'
Her print was then flighted on billboards at taxi ranks and train stations around the country as part of the billboard advocacy campaign and her participation in this project received a lot of attention from radio stations and the local Zulu communities as her work confronted controversial issues.
From this point, Nkosi's career took off and her work has been seen in several group and solo exhibitions in South Africa and abroad. She was particularly interested in the therapeutic effects of artmaking and in 2005 she collaborated with Cape Town-based poet Mavis Smallberg on AFH's 'Women for Children' print portfolio. Nkosi strongly advocated women's rights in her linocut, Sisterhood. In her artist's statement she gave a personal account of her experiences and inspiration:
'As a female artist who has personally experienced domestic violence, it is my privilege to contribute to this campaign. This image is about the power of sisterhood. It derives from a trauma that my son and I experienced in 1998, an abusive relationship which left scars on both of our lives. Through the support of my metaphorical sisters, I found joy and strength. Instead of breaking under the pain, I decided to confront it as a challenge for a brighter future - for all children have the right to a happy mother no matter how much heavy baggage may weigh.
'This image stresses the importance for domestic abuse victims to engage in dialogue and to find relevant ways of dealing with these situations. The repeating arms represent the different spirits which support me. The flying dresses symbolise the many roles I play as a woman - as daughter, as mother and father to my son, as a leader in my community. All women and children deserve to celebrate life.'
Nkosi also received art awards and prizes, during and after her studies. Amongst many other collections her work is also included in the permanent collection of the Durban Art Gallery, South Africa.
AFH treasures the opportunity of having worked with Gabisile. She made such a powerful impact with her capacity as an artist and as an educator in numerous communities. Her passion, kindness and commitment to helping others through art inspired and touched many lives. We will miss you Gabi.
