The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize 2022 Benefit Auction | Hosted by Sotheby’s

Kimathi Mafafo

Ndlovukazi

No reserve

No Reserves

Lot Closed

February 22, 05:07 PM GMT

Estimate

5,000 - 8,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Kimathi Mafafo

South African

b.1984

Ndlovukazi

hand stitched and machine stitched embroidery on fabric

101.5 by 62.5cm., 40 by 24½in.

framed: 109.5 by 69cm., 43 by 27in.

Please be aware of the Conditions of Sale when bidding. As a benefit auction, there is no buyer’s premium charged. The only additional costs due to the winning bidder are applicable sales tax and shipping. Works auctioned are sold “as is,” and condition reports are included with lot descriptions as available. In-person previews of the auction artwork will be available at Norval Foundation at 4 Steenberg Rd, Tokai, Cape Town, 7945, South Africa from 26 January – 22 February, Monday to Sundays 9 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays). Please note that while this auction is hosted on Sothebys.com, it is being administered by Norval Foundation (“the museum”), and all post-sale matters (inclusive of invoicing and property pickup/shipment) will be handled by the museum. As such, Sotheby’s will share the contact details for the winning bidders with the museum so that they may be in touch directly post-sale.

This work has been kindly donated by the artist

Kimathi Mafafo (b.1984, South Africa) is an artist whose works question historical stereotypes around gender inequality in Africa. The imagery present in her work is partly guided by a desire to celebrate the black female form, inspiring women to embrace their own worth and beauty. Her earliest works are partly autobiographical and tell the story of a woman withdrawing from the urban lifestyle and finding strength in nature and within herself.

Ndlovukazi follows a body of work in which the works are both hand embroidered and machine stitched on hand-made fabric. This skill was passed on by Mafafo’s late grandmother who she used to help as a young girl. Inspired by stories of women around her, Mafafo likens the woman in her work to flowers slowly blossoming against all odds, subtly criticising traditional gender roles while at the same time encouraging women to realize their own strength.