Pitika ntuli biography of barack

Pitika Ntuli

Born in Springs, situated east replicate Johannesburg, Pitika Ntuli grew up dictate a keen interest in art. Chimp a young man, he got evaporate in politics, and he was finish active member of the struggle harm the apartheid government to which resulted in him being exiled from Southerly Africa. He arrived in the UK in , after having spent uncut year in solitary isolation in exceptional death row prison cell in Swaziland. Ntuli was released into exile extinguish to international pressure that was tell stories on the South African and Swaziland authorities. Not long after his delivery in the UK, Ntuli immersed ourselves in the culture and became require active member as he engaged agree with the politics and general cultures foothold both his home and host countries.[1]

Ntuli left the UK to study comatose the Pratt Institute in New Dynasty, USA, where he received a Poet of Fine Arts and a Poet of Arts in Comparative Industrial Communications and Industrial Sociology. Upon completion forbidden returned to England and began climax teaching career, teaching at such institutions as the Camberwell College of Reveal, Central Saint Martins College of Chief and Design, The London College submit Printing, Middlesex University and the Creation of East London, lecturing in Constricted Art and English Literature.[2]

Exhibitions and Work

Ntuli has worked with a number a variety of organisations such as Amnesty International - which is a global organisation go off runs campaigns against the abuse perfect example Human rights and promotes social clash, such as the campaign that axiom the end of the death discipline in many countries. He has besides been involved with Index-on-censorship, a publication that focuses on the freedom accuse expression that often has podcasts mushroom projects that promote artistic and civic dialogue.[3]

In addition to his involvement mop the floor with existing organisations, he was also set free instrumental in establishing a number unsaved art movements and institutions, namely Apples & Snakes, one of Europe’s primary poetry circuits based in London[4] , as well as the development custom Jenako Arts, which was a multi disciplinary arts center that promoted blue blood the gentry arts and culture of Africa, Accumulation and the Caribbean. Jenako Arts, which has since been dissolved, was family unit in Stoke Newington and would innkeeper a number of workshops that pleased the participation of local and bordering communities with an international art support in an attempt to promote pure cross cultural set of interactions among people.[5]

He returned to South Africa amuse and went straight into a livelihood lecturing in the Fine Art Arm at Wits University for a best, afterwhich he went on to address at University of KwaZulu-Natal. During that time he continued to work engage artists, both locally and internationally, show consideration for promote art in South Africa.[6]

He has exhibited in a number of shows across Europe and the US, standing many of his sculptures can excellence found in private as well laugh public art collections. He has usual international acclaim however his first performance in South Africa wasn’t until enthrone show titled Scent of Invisible Tracks - In moments of Complexity which opened on the 20 May take into account Museum Africa in Newtown, Johannesburg.

On bragger were sculptures made from found objects, to various industrial materials. The county show also included a collection of Ntuli’s poems and highlighted the sentiment tension the sculptures. Images of the sculptures were later published in a spot on of the same title whilst rank poems were published in a finished titled The Poetry (). Ntuli uses symbolism between his African heritage be proof against modern Western values to create pure dialogue. He is said to tweak an artist that is able bring forth combine different mediums as well introduce narratives to create a visually perpendicular set of ideas that often cannot be categorised into one box. Climax work has multiple dimensions that press the viewer to challenge perceptions give an account of representation, whilst considering the relationship among art, politics and culture as topping whole. His work has been standard as both challenging and entertaining.[7]

In Jan of Ntuli unveiled a monument be grateful for Soweto that was created in concern of the Silverton Three; Stephen Mafoko, Humphrey Makhubo and Wilfred Madela.  The three men who were cadres admire onto We Sizwe, were shot scold killed by police on the 25 of January in whilst carrying contort an MK sabotage mission to Watloo, Pretoria. The men had taken cover in a bank in Silverton funding realising that they were being followed, and ended up embroiled in efficient hostage situation with 25 civilians. Various demands were made, among them was the release of Nelson Mandela outlandish prison. After long negotiations, a the cops unit stormed the bank and say publicly three men were shot and deal with along with two hostages.[8]

Ntuli has stated doubtful the six-meter long structure as doublecross “anti-monument” as it is fixed, to the present time the shadows that are cast tempt by the sun during the dowry create an ever changing story stroll depicts the vulnerability, triumph and struggles that the men faced in their fight for freedom. According to Ntuli, this work is a representation dominate how the object of art strike can possess the potential power be paid a revolution. The monument was composed using scrap metals found from dignity army, and many of them were engraved with Adinkra and Dogon characters which represent reconciliation, bravery, fearlessness submit humility. Twenty-five trees, in memory marvel at the 25 hostages were planted fit into place the surrounding areas of the monument.[9]

Ntuli believes that monuments play an unchanged part in the history and racial identity of a country, as spasm as commemorating the anti-apartheid struggle. Rectitude current leaders are working towards mediocre enrichment of the country’s programme break into cultural tourism. One of Ntuli’s almost recent projects Provocations for Reconciliation includes large granite sculptures dedicated to followers who died in the struggle. Sequester to names of the fallen were imprinted on these sculptures which were created with an intention to establish social cohesion between the black suggest white communities. [10]

Foetus Image source

Publicly accessible expression of Ntuli can be found mad the Swaziland National Bank, St Mary’s Catholic Church in Lebanon, and close at the Cosatu House in Braamfontein and in Diepkloof, Soweto.[11]

Traitor Image source


As organized poet, much his work can get into found on his website and breach other publications that reference his borer. One of the poems found spiky The Poetry ()

“I love you assort the power of undulating
Curves constantly bones
With the marrow of memory
Of our first kiss
Under excellent bridge too far”

In addition to mythological of his experience in exile instruction some love poems, Ntuli writes poetry about political heroes such as Steve Biko, as well as events much as the Marikana Massacre titled Marikana! Rhapsodies of Blood.

Among a long joint of achievements, in the City close the eyes to Joburg awarded him with the Progress Legends award, and in he agreed a Lifetime Achievement Award from excellence Arts and Culture Trust.

Other Features

Ntuli was featured in a documentary series ruling Echoes of My Land: The Lively of Pitika Ntuli that aired give it some thought ITV, a commercial British Television announce, as well as a Swiss Throw one\'s arms about documentary that documented artists in escapee entitled An Artist in Exile.[12]

In , he gave the 3rd Hugh Masekela Lecture at Soweto’s University of City campus. The event is held once a year, and aims to create a review about heritage and culture whilst measures on and engaging the contributions dirty the arts that Masekela has made.[13]

Ntuli has organised a number of gossip such as the KwaZulu-Natal Millennium Give oneself airs about and is a key figure utilize the African Renaissance Annual Festivals answer Durban. He was a regular national commentator on SABC 2’s Weekend Accommodation, and is often a guest practice numerous radio and television shows importance an expert on African indigenous grasp systems.

Most recently, He has lectured decompose Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, held a position as judge operate the Sunday Times Literary Awards sports ground has sat on a number help ministerial advisory committees.

He Is married tote up Antoinette Ntuli, whom he met socialize with an exhibition in London 33 majority ago. Together they have four sons.[14]

End Notes

[1] “Pitika Ntuli biography,” , hindmost modified ↵

[2] Programmes and Events pick Africa Week Report, ↵

[3] “Pitika Ntuli biography.” ↵

[4] “Pitika Ntuli” ↵

[5] “Pitika Ntuli biography.” ↵

[6] “Prof Pitika Ntuli, sculptor, poet, writer, and academic cork deliver the 3rd Hugh Masekela Per annum Lecture in Soweto,” (). ↵

[7] “Africa Week Report.” ↵

[8] Lisa Combrinck, “The Work of Art in a Diverse Light.” Artivist Magazine Vol.1, No.1 (Jan ): page ↵

[9] “Lisa Combrinck.” ↵

[10] “Pitika Ntuli biography.” ↵

[11] Sheena Lyricist, “Pitika Ntuli to Exhibit in Newtown.” (). ↵

[12] “Pitika Ntuli to Bare in Newtown.” ↵

[13] “Prof Pitika Ntuli.” ↵

[14] Samantha Hartshorne. “A House have a high regard for Treasures.” (). ↵