GERALD BHENGU

Snaps: GERALD BHENGU

by

H. I. E. Dhlomo

It is almost impossible to think or write about the life of any African artist in this country without recalling Gray's famous lines, “Full many a gem of purest ray serene . . . “ There are many economic and political reasons for this. But the insidious doctrine that African artists must remain “natural” and that education and training would spoil them, has done more damage to African talent than many a political or an economic factor. The shame is that the protagonists of this pernicious doctrine are the so-called friends of the African. Mr. G. Bhengu, the well-known artist (painter), has been a victim of all these disabilities. Those who saw his works at Payne Bros. (who were generous enough to exhibit them), and, better still, at the International Club Non-European Exhibition, have pronounced Bhengu an artist with natural genius. Gerald Bhengu was born at Mundi (Centocow) and attended the Catholic school there. He began modeling when he was under five. Born of a family of humble means, he was forced to leave school in 1925 with only a Standard V Certificate and assist his mother in her financial difficulties. During this period he met Dr. Kohler, a German scholar, who gave him a few passing hints on art. In 1931 Bhengu went to the Ixopo Seminary and remained for two years. Here Inspectors D. Malcolm and S. Dent discovered him, and this led to contracts to illustrate some school books. Later Bhengu taught at the Nutall College , Edendale, left, and joined Messrs. S. Bhengu, Herbalists. In 1938 he decided to live on his art by selling his pictures to Europeans. He received from 2/- to 5/- for his works then. He persisted for his first exhibition at the Empire Exhibition in Johannesburg in 1936 had shown him his worth. Today Bhengu lives entirely on his art, and is a great pioneer in a field in which we hope to see many stars in the immediate future. It would be a national service if some wealthy patriots would purchase his best work and preserve it for posterity.