The proceeds of the sales will go to his family and charity. Mandela, who was incarcerated in South Africa’s Robben Island prison for 27 years, was freed in 1990, on February 11. He eventually went on to become the first President of post-apartheid South Africa in 1992. After a five-year term, he stepped down as President in 1999. The exhibition, which began in January, a few weeks before the anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release, will continue for a few weeks until a sale is negotiated.
Mandela began to draw in 2001, to fund charities for homeless children and victims of AIDS. In 2002, London’s Belgravia Gallery was commissioned to market the drawings. Though no particular valuation has been attached to the twenty four drawings in charcoal and pastels, they are estimated to be worth a substantial amount. The drawings will only be sold to a buyer who is willing to purchase all the twenty four pieces, and who will keep them available for public display. A preview of the exhibition is available online at the gallery’s website.
“I think they are historically really interesting works of art,” said Anna Hunter, the owner of Belgravia. “These are the drawings of a man who has been through so much and yet is willing to return to the subject matter. This is his triumph over the adversity he experienced.” In fact, Nelson Mandela was quoted once as saying, “When they finally let me retire I want to be a full-time artist.” Hunter continued, “They are really charming drawings of places and objects that meant a great deal to him including the landscape around Qunu where he grew up and is now buried.” Mandela passed away in 2013.
Mandela’s artwork have been through their share of controversies. In 2005, some pieces of art appeared on the market purporting to be Mandela’s works, complete with forged signatures. Mandela even filed a suit in court against a lawyer who was involved in the sale of these forged pieces.
