The Best of Art & Excellent Attendance at Buhle Wonder Mbambo's Solo Show Opening

Wonder with KwNgcolosi performers 

Hailing from the rural village of KwaNgcolosi, twenty-nine-year old artist Buhle Mbambo opened his very first solo exhibition at the Durban Art Gallery on Tuesday evening where he unpacked a project inspired by his family history.

Wonder Buhle Mbambo is a young gentleman with a successful story as a rural artist who has made a name for himself and changed perception about art not being a career one can make a living out of. His passion for art started back in high, “I would always use my spare time to draw sketches and do some painting. We didn’t have it as a subject so I did physical science and mathematics” he told The Daily Vox in an interview.

Guests gathered at Durban Art Gallery to witness the work of the renowned artist and they experience nothing less than what you will experience at any other exhibition opening of an established artist. While guests were browsing through overwhelming art pieces by Wonder on the white walls of Durban Art Gallery, Pravda Vodka kept flowing to complement the evening.

Mbambo who was over the moon with the success of his solo show said, “As a Durban Artist I really appreciated the support from the Durban Municipality (Durban Art Gallery)  as well as from all the art lovers who came through to my show I can truly say had finally launched my career as an official South African Artist and I believe Ukumisa Insika is a journey towards a bigger dream and right now I am on the open road towards it”.

The success of this of course came not only because of Wonder's talent only but because of a very supportive mother who was a domestic worker. After Wonder completed his matric he took a gap year and didn’t go to university because he didn’t know what he wanted to do, and it was never a big issue. After that year he had made up his mind that he wanted to study art and his mother was very supportive of the decision despite the fact that they grew up in a rural area where people weren’t familiar with art altogether, kudos to his mother who supported and encouraged him throughout and today he is a breadwinner at home.

The director of Durban Art Gallery Dr. Mduduzi Xakaza extended his gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the exhibition. "It was very generous of Pravda Vodka to sponsor the function with alcoholic beverages," he said. 

"The KwaNgcolosi traditional performance enhanced the meaning of the exhibition concept, and the audience was very enthusiastic, asking questions about further activities around the exhibition". he conclude. 

Ukumisa Insika is officially open for the public at Durban Art Gallery, weekdays 8am - 4pm until the 9th of September 2018. 

Should you wish to interview Wonder Buhle Mbambo or director of Durban Art Galleryt, please do not hesitate to contact me.