FINE ART: Suzy Bell
A GERMAN musician from a punk band stared dreamily up at Kali, the dramatic, colourful Hindu goddess who boldly wears a necklace of bloodied male skulls around her neck. In a hash-induced haze, as it was Goa (India) after all, he said: “Look how exciting Indian mythology is. Why is Christianity so boring?”
So it’s not surprising that Malawi-born sculptor, Hilton Gasa (35), currently artist-in-residence at Durban’s Bartle Arts Centre (Bat), specifically enrolled at The University of Bombay (with the aid of the Malawian government) to learn more about Indian art. He was smitten. “I was fascinated by the drama and intricate detailing of Hindu sculptures,” he says in his lilting Chichewa accent.
It’s not that Gasa thinks that Christian and African mythology are blatantly boring – he will make the odd Christ on the crucifix and Shaka the Zulu King – but it’s just that for Gasa, being a murthi-maker, a sculptor working within the Hindu tradition, holds far more intrigue.
“People still think because you’re black, or you’re white or Indian, even though we are now a democracy, you do art of your own race. But to me it’s what’s spiritual to you. It may seem strange that I do mainly Indian art, and many people are amazed because I’m an African. But I am hoping through my art I can create a sense of unity. Let’s learn to understand we are one.”
Having lived in KwaZulu-Natal since the late Seventies, Gasa made the move from Malawi because: “Sometimes as human beings we need a change. But I was very shocked to see people picking up a knife or a gun and killing without reason. In this country the way people are painting their blood away is quite painful to see.”
A poet of a man, Gasa sings sweetly: “Art is your blood. Art is your memory. Art is your thinking, pushing your power. We build the community with that power, that light. Because art is the light, and our responsibility as artists is to share that light. To increase consciousness and increase awareness. We, as artists have the fresh spirit. But really talented rural artists are lost in the community, they need support and we need cultural leaders who understand our needs.”
With Bat providing free studio space with access to tourists milling in to view and hopefully buy Gasa’s art, plus his extensive education in India and later in Italy, one would think this artist could make a modest living. Although Gasa sells mainly to private individuals, with a modestly priced R35 figurine of Sai Baba and his highest price at R85 for the elaborately detailed figurine of Shiva, it seems Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, hasn’t yet blessed this artist with commissions.
“Sometimes I wonder mwhy must I spend all my power on materials to make art that I think nobody needs. It’s difficult, but Bat has really helped me. They give us wood too, so I’ve made a sculpture called Guardian Angel. Without their support there is no courage. I think the Department of Arts and Culture has a responsibility to pick up the artists from our new generation.”
— Watch Hilton Gasa at work Mondays to Fridays from 8am-5pm. Contact him on (031) 320451