This viewing room aims to introduce you to Simon Zitha and to provide a personal insight into his life, artworks and practice. The title of the viewing room is 'Khandziya e Ntshava' which means 'going up the mountain' or 'uphill battle'. This refers to Simon's connection to earth, his journey and how his story is narrated through the artworks that he creates.
These works are identity-defining for me because they speak about the rural villages of Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga that I grew up in, the difficult upbringing, and family dynamics. The stones that I use in all of my work are stones from areas that are familiar to me. I go to the source and collect them from Mpumalanga and bring them back to my studio in the city. This is a constant comforting reminder that I may not be able to bring the rural home here with me but I can always take stones as pieces of it and the memories are kept alive by my own carving. This is valuable to me. - Simon Zitha
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About the Artist
Simon ZithaSimon was born in Bushbuckridge in 1972 and matriculated in Hazyview, Mpumalanga in 1993.
He has worked closely with Angus Taylor at Dionysus Sculpture Studio and Foundry since 2011. In this time he has grown to become one of South Africa's most proficient stone masons.Whilst his first love is stone, he also enjoys working in bronze and often includes both mediums to create his timeless sculptures.Group exhibitions that Zitha has participated in include: SculptX 2021, SculptX 2019, the Tacit exhibition at NWU Gallery in Potchefstroom as well as at the William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley (2016), the DSW Biennale Exhibition at Pretoria Arts Association & IS Art Gallery in Franschhoek (2014), He also took part in the Nirox Winter Sculpture Fair in 2014.
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Directed by Diliza Moabi
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The Stone we carry
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Simon ZithaBushbuck Ridge , 2021Bronze and stone124 x 54 x 40 cm
241 kgSoldSimon has created this piece from his imagination using two stones, one from Belfast in Mpumalanga South Africa and the other being Red Jasper. Red Jasper is believed to have many health benefits including increased emotional stamina, self-confidence, increased memory of dreams and sexual vibrancy. The red apple speaks to the story of ‘Eve’ and forbidden fruit and desire.
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Simon ZithaFace Up , 2020Bronze50 x 47 x 84 cmR 172,500.00
The act of praying with your head down is something a lot of people do consciously and unconsciously. For Simon it is a conscious act to pray with his face looking up to his ancestors and God. Therefore, Face Up is that act of always looking up and never down. The stone on top is a symbol of the burden that when praying we carry the burden that we ask them for help with.
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Homu
Cow -
Simon when asked in an interview what does he live by it was simple for him, The Cow, it’s my family totem and it is what feeds not only me, and my family but my spirit.
The Cow as a totem animal is associated with earth, medicine, motherhood with a strong mother goddess instinct. Therefore, it is not surprising that in most of Zitha’s works he pays homage to the journey of women in the world whilst still acknowledging his ancestors. In all his works he incorporates the earth as stone to show that yes they might seem as separate entities but they are one in the same.
In many cultures around the world, the cow is holy, with Hinduism believing that all cows are sacred, which is why many people of that faith do not eat cows at all. As spirit animal cows are there to help with those that are struggling with fertility usually offering motherly advice.
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I stand before a woman. She is considering whether she still wants to hang on or to let go. I stand empathic before all women who grapple with conflict. Many women carry with them abuse and discomfort and it is with great braveness that they cope with these elements and eventually release form consequential constraints - Simon Zitha
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Sibongile
Thank You -
Sibongile is the Zulu word for Thank you. Zitha in this body in his latest body of works presents woman with heavy objects on their heads. In Africa, woman can often be seen walking with large, heavy packages or items borne on their heads. However, he has also used this symbolically to represent the many hardships and responsibilities that woman are expected to perform and accept despite enormous challenges.
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Simon ZithaSibongile (half bust), 2021Bronze and stone161 x 70 x 60 cm
216 kgR 300,000.50For this sculpture, Simon used quartz, granite from Belfast in Mpumalanga, the area from which he comes, and bronze. The smooth texture of the bronze casting allows for a realistic portrayal of her face which is in stark contrast to the rough textures of the stone. The heavy weight on her head speaks to the load that woman are expected to carry every day despite enormous challenges
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Simon ZithaSibongile , 2021Bronze and stone118 x 48 x 48 cm
62 kgR 320,000.15In this sculpture, Simon has cast Sibongile’s face and torso in bronze and used Belfast granite from Mpumalanga, the area from which he comes for the load that she carries on her head. Sibongile is presented with grace and pride despite the heavy load that represents the enormous hardships and challenges that woman face in Africa on a daily basis.
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Mahlavezulu
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Simon ZithaMahlavezulu, 2020Bronze76 x 34.5 x 99 cm(C003603)R 230,000.00
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There was a donkey that stayed by my family's home and whilst they had conversations it was as though the donkey was listening to them, the same way a person would listen to a conversation. At first it was a joke but the way in which the donkey would engage with them was the same way my father's sister listened, looked and participated in a conversation. That was when the spirit of the donkey was recognized and named Mahlavezulu which was her name.
The donkey served as a reminder of her spirit and her protection over us. When I was born my family gave me the same name Mahlavezulu .
This artwork pays homage to my grandmother and the stone represents the burden that they had to carry in the family but it also symbols that instead of it being on the head it is on the back to show that no matter what we are strong and will always be protected whenever we face problems. So, where there is darkness there is light, hope and faith.
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Simon ZithaLion of Judah , 2021Bronze and stone107 x 60 x 166 cm
196 kgSoldThe Lion of Judah is carved out Bushbuckridge granite. The parts I associate with being a man. Strength, power, and speed are things usually in lions. As a man in these current time, it is a good way to start channelling all those parts that I need to play an active role in society. Lion of Judah is a way to look at respect and reverence that I was raised to have for religion to be the same for stone carving as a practice.
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In Studio
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A master craftsman, specializing in stone, Zitha has worked with Angus Taylor at Dionysus Sculpture Studio & Foundry for 15 years where he holds the position of team leader in stone carving.
The creative studio and foundry Dionysus Sculpture Works (DSW) was established by South African sculptor Angus Taylor in 1996. This creative space is constantly expanding, striving towards excellence and offering a notable contribution to the South African art scape.
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"If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together" - African Proverb
