Johannesburg, 07 Jun 2011
Artist Nkosimathi Thomas Nugube and ERP software producer SYSPRO have more in common than you may imagine. Both are South African success stories, both are internationally renowned, and both believe in bringing beauty through simplicity to their customers.
Above all, their most profound commonality remains Meryl Malcomess. Meryl, SYSPRO's Marketing Director, is passionate about both Thomas and SYSPRO, so much so that in the mid-2000s she commissioned Thomas to produce various steel sculptures for the company, which are now proudly displayed in and around the multinational's headquarters in Sunninghill, Johannesburg.
“Meryl came to my studio about five years ago. She saw the pieces I was currently busy with and fell in love with them. Many of those exact pieces are now displayed at SYSPRO's offices. She has been a good friend and a great ally over the years - and I look forward to hopefully working with her and SYSPRO in the future,” says Thomas.
Meryl was first introduced to Thomas and his work through her daughter Bettina, who met the artist through her work in the field of fine arts. They have forged a great friendship over the years, with Thomas being known to make the odd impromptu cameo appearance at various SYSPRO events. Most recently, Thomas attended an international SYSPRO event hosted at Sun City, where he engaged with various captains of industry from around the globe in discussions on the intricacies of supply chain management, often relating this to his own work and experience with informal supply chains in Johannesburg.
Self-styled and self-made, Thomas has a unique style of work and is well known for his many steel and stone sculptures that adorn working, living and public spaces in various cities around country. He often sources scrap metal, discarded steel and old car parts as materials for his various pieces.
Ndebele by birth, Thomas first started out peddling his work door-to-door in the affluent Johannesburg suburbs of Parkhurst and Parktown North. He has come a long way since then, exhibited both locally and internationally, including at the recent Art of Africa show in London, England. He was an artist in residence at the Unity Gallery for two years (2004/5) and currently works from his own studio at the Drill Hall, in Johannesburg.
“When you look at a man like Thomas, it's about the whole person. He's a sociable person who loves the city, and this is shown through his work,” says Meryl. “His work comes from the heart, with many of his pieces being heavily influenced by jazz, gospel and traditional African music.”
In regards to a recent work of his, titled ballet dancer, currently on display at his solo showing at the Unity Gallery, located at the Bus Factory in Johannesburg's Newtown district, Thomas watched real-life dancers in order to capture the true essence of this form of expression, which he so successfully has accomplished in this life-size steel sculpture. This beautiful piece tells a unique story through its exploration of the movements of ballet.
“Thomas believes in himself, which has been integral in him driving his own growth as an artist. His output and quality of work improves each year - he has far outperformed any other artists I've worked with over the last 15 years of our association,” says Unity Gallery's Robyn Field.
Inspired by global organisations like SYSPRO, Thomas is hoping to better establish himself internationally. He leaves for Europe next month, where he will be attending the openings of his solo showings in Vienna, Belgrade and Moscow.
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