Nelson Mandela was one of the world's leading political figures
of the last 50 years, but there was something else he wasn't quite so well
known for - his artwork. Coming to art late in life, in the early part of this
century, Mandela's work was heavily influenced by his time in prison on Robben
Island. After being released from jail in 1990, Mandela was elected South
Africa's first black president in 1994. Mandela's many years on Robben Island
inspired him to unite his nation, and his experiences there inspired his art
too.
Mandela's drawings and paintings have not only become very important historically since his death late in 2013, but during his lifetime Mandela's artwork was sold to help raise money for children's charities in Africa. Highly valued, Mandela's artwork raised millions to help children on the continent.
One of Nelson Mandela's famous works of art is his pastel drawing from 2002, which was entitled The Hand of Africa. Part of Mandela's Impressions series, the drawing included a map of the African continent in the palm of the hand. While there were black and white and colour version of Impressions of Africa featuring many hands. The colour version represented the new 'rainbow nation' of South Africa - it was Mandela's vision to create a united South Africa that was free of the divisions of the past. Another very personal piece by Nelson Mandela is the drawing of Qunu, his home village. The village is also where the great man was buried.
Nelson Mandela created two series of works, which focused on his time on Robben Island, namely My Robben Island - Series I and Reflections of Robben Island - Series II. These are colourful works of art and not the bleak drawings we might expect. Though there are depictions of Mandela's cell and guard tower, there are also drawings of the lighthouse and church on Robben Island, as well as a drawing of the island's harbour.
Though many gifted artists have been inspired by Nelson Mandela enough to paint and draw him, artwork by Mandela himself will always be more valuable. Over the coming years and decades Nelson Mandela's artwork is also only likely to increase significantly in value. Mandela is arguably the most important figure in South African history, while few people have been a bigger instigator of positive change than him.
Mandela's drawings and paintings have not only become very important historically since his death late in 2013, but during his lifetime Mandela's artwork was sold to help raise money for children's charities in Africa. Highly valued, Mandela's artwork raised millions to help children on the continent.
One of Nelson Mandela's famous works of art is his pastel drawing from 2002, which was entitled The Hand of Africa. Part of Mandela's Impressions series, the drawing included a map of the African continent in the palm of the hand. While there were black and white and colour version of Impressions of Africa featuring many hands. The colour version represented the new 'rainbow nation' of South Africa - it was Mandela's vision to create a united South Africa that was free of the divisions of the past. Another very personal piece by Nelson Mandela is the drawing of Qunu, his home village. The village is also where the great man was buried.
Nelson Mandela created two series of works, which focused on his time on Robben Island, namely My Robben Island - Series I and Reflections of Robben Island - Series II. These are colourful works of art and not the bleak drawings we might expect. Though there are depictions of Mandela's cell and guard tower, there are also drawings of the lighthouse and church on Robben Island, as well as a drawing of the island's harbour.
Though many gifted artists have been inspired by Nelson Mandela enough to paint and draw him, artwork by Mandela himself will always be more valuable. Over the coming years and decades Nelson Mandela's artwork is also only likely to increase significantly in value. Mandela is arguably the most important figure in South African history, while few people have been a bigger instigator of positive change than him.
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