Dumile Feni


Zwelidumile Geelboi Mgxaji Mslaba "Dumile" Feni was a South African contemporary visual artist known for both his drawings and paintings that included sculptural elements as well as sculptures, which often depicted the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa. Feni lived in exile and extreme poverty for most of his art career.

Early life

Feni was born in the small farmstead of Withuis in Worcester, Cape Province, South Africa, to parents Geelbooi Magoqwana, a trader and evangelist, and Bettie Nothemba Mgxaji, a business woman. When he was young, Feni's family relocated to the Welcome Estate in Cape Town. His family were Xhosa people.

Career

Feni's work often tied to the period of Apartheid in South Africa. He lived in self-imposed exile from 1968 to 1991 based between London, Los Angeles and New York.
He moved to the United States in 1978. He was an artist in residence at the Institute of African Humanities in Los Angeles, at the University of California.

Documentary

In 2010, a documentary called Zwelidumile was released. It was created by South African filmmaker Ramadan Suleman.

Personal life

Feni's first name, Zwelidumile, means "a person known all over the country."
Feni has a daughter named Marriam Diale.

Exhibitions

Solo exhibitions