This is the rating and price for Mahlanghu, Speelman (South African, 1958-2004)
The Spear
Bronze, signed, edition 11/11
height 42,5cm
Speelman Mahlangu is the late nephew of well-known Ndebele mural artist Esther Mahlangu. Drawing
on Ndebele culture, myths and visual traditions, the younger Mahlangu produced paintings, pots and
relief murals, but is mostly recognised for his brooding sculptures in bronze. Mahlangu studied at the
Katlehong Art Centre in the late 1970's and had a continued involvement there until his untimely death.
The Spear, which ironically shares its title with a controversial painting by Brett Murray, portrays a thin
and elongated figure straddling a bull. The bull lies on its back, resigned, perhaps dead. Commonly,
spears and bulls are symbols of power and wealth and yet in this sculpture the figure looks slightly
forlorn, gazing up into the distance. Similarly, the overall scene that Mahlangu presents us with is not
one of struggle and drama, which may be expected given the subject matter and title, but rather is
intensely pensive and sober. It could be that Mahlangu is depicting a sacrifice scene, a bull offered up
to an anxious figure's ancestors. Conventionally, sculptures of this kind are so filled with potency and an
almost aggressive energy, which makes The Spear all the more unique and unassuming. by Speelman Mahlangu

Speelman Mahlangu (1958-2004)
About the lot N° 90
Mahlanghu, Speelman (South African, 1958-2004)
The Spear
Bronze, signed, edition 11/11
height 42,5cm
Speelman Mahlangu is the late nephew of well-known Ndebele mural artist Esther Mahlangu. Drawing
on Ndebele culture, myths and visual traditions, the younger Mahlangu produced paintings, pots and
relief murals, but is mostly recognised for his brooding sculptures in bronze. Mahlangu studied at the
Katlehong Art Centre in the late 1970's and had a continued involvement there until his untimely death.
The Spear, which ironically shares its title with a controversial painting by Brett Murray, portrays a thin
and elongated figure straddling a bull. The bull lies on its back, resigned, perhaps dead. Commonly,
spears and bulls are symbols of power and wealth and yet in this sculpture the figure looks slightly
forlorn, gazing up into the distance. Similarly, the overall scene that Mahlangu presents us with is not
one of struggle and drama, which may be expected given the subject matter and title, but rather is
intensely pensive and sober. It could be that Mahlangu is depicting a sacrifice scene, a bull offered up
to an anxious figure's ancestors. Conventionally, sculptures of this kind are so filled with potency and an
almost aggressive energy, which makes The Spear all the more unique and unassuming.
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Estimate (low-high) : 30000 ZAR-40000 ZAR It's free to register now to view!
Russell Kaplan Auctioneers, auctioneer It's free to register now to view!
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Sale date : 16 Feb 2013 It's free to register now to view!
Sale Reference : Live Sale
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