Provenance
The collection of Nelson Mandela (1918-2013);
By direct descent to his daughter, Dr. Pumla Makaziwe Mandela;
A private collection.

On 16th June 1999 Nelson Mandela retired as President of South Africa. What is less well known is that following his retirement he began a new career as a talented artist.

"When my father retired as the president, he didn't have much to do. I think for him, art was a good way of expressing himself or trying to come to terms with his history and his (I wouldn't want to say) demons, but just coming to terms with his whole life."
Makaziwe Mandela.

Some of these original drawings were then reproduced as editions of lithographs 'My Robben Island' in 2002 and 'Reflections of Robben Island' in 2003. The above drawing of a Cape Aloe was produced at this time but was not used for the edition of lithographs, it remained in the collection of the Mandela family.

The Cape Aloe (Aloe ferox) is found throughout Nelson Mandela's homeland of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The hardy plant, not unlike the artist, can withstand the harshest of conditions. Nelson Mandela selected this subject from one of the many plants that populate the rolling hills around his home in Qunu. The red spear-like flowers emerge early in the Southern African winter and are in full bloom by the time of his birthday, their fiery colours bring a visual warmth to an otherwise bleak landscape.

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- African Modern & Contemporary Art

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