Alfred Maphumulo, one of the artists to exhibit his work

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Russia Maina has sold a number of his paintings to private collectors, though his work has not reached the limelight yet

Joburg gallery features hidden talent Two artists are among Soweto's hidden gems - but the Johannesburg Art Gallery has found them and is showing their work to the world. November 13, 2006 By Michael Tsingo UNKNOWN artists are finding a home at the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG), which is exhibiting two of Soweto's hidden talents. Creative Explosion: Soweto's Concealed Great Artists opened on November 12 and runs until 7 January 2007. It is a collaboration between the gallery and Region D. According to JAG curator and the exhibition's organiser, Prince Dube, the artists, 36-year-old Alfred Maphumulo and 45-year-old Russia Maina, have not been exposed to commercial galleries before because of "a lack of know-how". However, he believes the public will be surprised by their work, which he describes as different and original. "Maina has not [had] any formal exhibitions, but he has been producing artworks portraying landscapes and keeping them at home or selling to people around him," Dube explains. "Because he has limited resources, his paintings are done in oil paint that is used to paint walls, but his work ends up original. It can clearly be seen that he is not copying anyone." Maphumulo, who has worked with the JAG on educational projects, is better equipped than Maina in terms of resources. His work, mainly portraits, has been exhibited several times at other galleries. Creative Explosion: Soweto's Concealed Great Artists, an exhibition of the works of two great Soweto artists, Alfred Maphumulo and Russia Maina "Maphumulo's portraits range from popular individuals such as politicians and activists, to common people," Dube says. "Maina's work focuses on landscapes but they are more rural-based than township-based. "His paintings are of landscapes with women carrying firewood or water barrels." Maphumulo says that his portraits focus on activists and national leaders as well as common people. He has had several exhibitions since 1996, including at Africa Day, in the Gauteng legislature, in the Carlton Centre and at Future Prospects in Newtown. Both painters grew up in Soweto, and Dube believes they are not the township's only hidden artists. There are no art galleries in Soweto, which means a lot of talent in Soweto could be concealed as these artists do not know how to exhibit their work. "I would like to see the City opening a gallery in Soweto," he says. "I have spoken to a number of individuals from the City but until now there are no formal exhibition places that I know of in Soweto. Artists have to go to the northern suburbs to have their work exhibited." The Johannesburg Art Gallery is on the southern border of Joubert Park; the entrance is on King George's Street. It is open from 10am to 5pm, and entrance is free. For more information, phone Tiny Malefane on 011 725 3130. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za