Following in his father’s proud steps

Collen Maswanganyi, the son of the famous and internationally-acclaimed Limpopo artist and sculptor, Johannes Maswanganyi, has followed in his father’s footsteps.

Maswanganyi is currently exhibiting his works of art at the Absa Gallery in downtown Johannesburg.

Aptly named Footsteps, Maswanganyi’s sculptures are varied and interesting. One of the pieces entitled Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, refers to a famous quote by former world boxing champion and icon Muhammad Ali. In this work, the butterfly is Ali’s daughter – gentle and soft – yet a boxer following in her father’s footsteps. Ali is depicted as the bee who had a great sting in his boxing career.

Another is Leaf of Success, which depicts leaders such as Helen Zille, Jacob Zuma, Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela. Reed Dance is also an interesting piece and depicts a Zulu or Swazi ritual dance in which the King is a homosexual and is watching homosexuals dancing.

The highlight of the exhibition is the piece, Carving my way to the top, where Maswanganyi depicts himself carving his way to the top to be among the celebrated artists such as Willem Boshoff, his father Johannes, Jackson Hlungwani, Noria Mabasa, William Kentridge and Brett Murray.

Teresa Lizamore of Artspace gallery in Parkwood, who opened the exhibition said of Carving my way to the top, “It is a kind of stardom which shows the support we get and it symbolises the care and respect we give to those we are following. It can on the other hand symbolise the damage we can do to their integrity as we may carve more than we should do and break the pole which might fall with us and those on top.

“So carving his way to the top might mean the fall of his father’s art or it might strengthen him. This also applies to all the other people who followed or might follow in the footsteps of their parents.”