Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Fine Art graduate Mthokozisi Xulu was announced as the winner of the 2021 Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award at a ceremony recently hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Design at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus.

The Emma Smith Scholarship Award was introduced in 1920 by KwaZulu–Natal Sugar Industry Magnate Sir Charles Smith. Named after his mother, Smith’s endowment was made in appreciation of the work of John Adams who was the Head of the Art School and an influential figure in education and the arts in Natal.

Other students who participated in the 2021 competition are Amy Pieterse (Fine Art) and Wonderboy Maluleka (Photography).

In 2022 the Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award was in its 102nd year, the scholarship worth R44 500, will help fund Xulu’s postgraduate studies.

Xulu hails from Inanda Township in Durban and was honoured to have won such a prestigious award.

“It’s exciting and overwhelming. It’s a reassurance that I’m in the right direction and that my dedication, hard work and passion is recognised. The scholarship will help me fulfil my dream and boost my confidence,” he commented.

Explaining more about his work, the 27-year-old said it is an artistic exploration into death and loss, feelings, memories and personal experiences.

“My subject matter comes from the loss of my younger brother in 2017 who was murdered a few steps away from home. I am in constant search for new ways and patterns of dealing with the loss of my brother as years have passed since the incident occurred. In my work, I portray surgical elements by using gauze, bandages, cotton threads, wires, found materials and stained fabric as an expression in evoking a keen sense of sadness, emotional distress and pain,” he said.

Xulu graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Fine Art in 2021 and his future plans have always been to develop himself as an artist or creative. He notes that the Advanced Diploma in Fine Art helped him develop his research and writing skills.

The 102nd Emma Smith Art Scholarship Award recipient believes furthering his postgraduate studies will further assist in developing his writing and will solidify his practice as an artist. His ultimate dream is to assist young people realise their dreams, find voice in the society. Xulu also hopes his work will ignite change in the Inanda Township which is riddled with many societal ills.

Pictured: Mthokozisi Xulu (centre) flanked by DUT Art Gallery curator Francesca Verga and Faculty of Arts and Design’s Executive Dean, Professor Runette Kruger. (Image Thembi Mthembu).

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