| "Portrait Nelson Mandela"(Born 1918,18July),South Africa,painted by South African artist Roy Astley Fryer. Title "Prisioned for 27 years" |
| About the painting |
An ORIGINAL Oil painting by South African /Wildlife artist Roy
Astley Fryer. The painting
was completed in 2003 and signed by the artist. This oil
painting depicts various GRAPHIC portrayals of
the "Nobel Peace Prize" winner Nelson Mandela of his life
behind bars and of his freedom on 11th Feb.
1990.This original painting measures 21 x 25 inches on
stretched canvas.
To best explain the graphics and elements contained within
this painting the following can be said
about the painting and what it holds inside!!
1.On the right bottom of this painting a graphic interpretation
of Nelson Mandela holding the raised
fisted victory symbol to the ANC(African National Congress
political party).A symbol of victory and the
end of the "Apartheid" era. On his chest the artist has put the
AIDS ribbon in red symbolising the
rulers concern for his people. On the black sleeve the
number appears in a dark blue "46664",
Mandela's prison number in Robin Island prison just off Cape
Town.(the number can be seen inscribed
3 times in total on the painting. The head and jawline of
Mandela makes up the southern tip of the
African continent where he would be president .The painting
has been created by rich brush strokes.
Behind Mandela's head the inscription,"APARTHEID" can be
seen marking an era of the past.
2.In the background behind the outstretched victorious
leader symbolism within the circle can be
seen. The first of the wagon wheel is of the Dutch who
explored Southern Africa from Cape Town in the
early 1800's. The same circle holds symbolism to the
grindstone of the prisoners of Robin Island.
Further more inside the circle the symbol of the white
extreamist.(note the red that spans out
showing the 3 "7" symbols. On the outer rim of the
circle(white), the inscriptions" RELEASE OF
MANDELA, 11 - 02 - 1990, and also,DEMOCRATIC
ELECTIONS 1994.
3.The African continent graphic has symbolism of white and
black painted barbed-wire that follows the
contours of the continent symbolising the past struggle
between white and black. Inside the continent
red tear drops bring the struggle to be remembered. The
stitch like symbols inside Africa symbolise
the past aggressions and violence in Africa. The greys bars
that run across the continent symbolise
the time in jail Mandela had to endure. There is also
importance of maintaining the leader on the
outside of the bars(inside the right bar over the African
silhoette "27 years' can be read...the time
Mandela spent in Robin Island Jail.
4.At the center of Mandela's fist many things can be seen,
1.The political symbol of the ANC(black and
white shield and spear artwork.2.The flag of Mandela's ruling
party(green,yellow and black striped flag
). In the background of this painting the new South African
flag appears. Other text of symbolical importance like.."white
by night" and "passes is slavery" can be seen on the
painting. The bars over Africa symbolise Mandelas time in
jail.Looking carefully at the "Africa" graphic it displays a side
view of a scull representing the struggle in Africa and those
who have lost there lives due to the struggle. Thick oil paint
is used in various parts of the painting to enharnce ideas
and images.
Astley Fryer. The painting
was completed in 2003 and signed by the artist. This oil
painting depicts various GRAPHIC portrayals of
the "Nobel Peace Prize" winner Nelson Mandela of his life
behind bars and of his freedom on 11th Feb.
1990.This original painting measures 21 x 25 inches on
stretched canvas.
To best explain the graphics and elements contained within
this painting the following can be said
about the painting and what it holds inside!!
1.On the right bottom of this painting a graphic interpretation
of Nelson Mandela holding the raised
fisted victory symbol to the ANC(African National Congress
political party).A symbol of victory and the
end of the "Apartheid" era. On his chest the artist has put the
AIDS ribbon in red symbolising the
rulers concern for his people. On the black sleeve the
number appears in a dark blue "46664",
Mandela's prison number in Robin Island prison just off Cape
Town.(the number can be seen inscribed
3 times in total on the painting. The head and jawline of
Mandela makes up the southern tip of the
African continent where he would be president .The painting
has been created by rich brush strokes.
Behind Mandela's head the inscription,"APARTHEID" can be
seen marking an era of the past.
2.In the background behind the outstretched victorious
leader symbolism within the circle can be
seen. The first of the wagon wheel is of the Dutch who
explored Southern Africa from Cape Town in the
early 1800's. The same circle holds symbolism to the
grindstone of the prisoners of Robin Island.
Further more inside the circle the symbol of the white
extreamist.(note the red that spans out
showing the 3 "7" symbols. On the outer rim of the
circle(white), the inscriptions" RELEASE OF
MANDELA, 11 - 02 - 1990, and also,DEMOCRATIC
ELECTIONS 1994.
3.The African continent graphic has symbolism of white and
black painted barbed-wire that follows the
contours of the continent symbolising the past struggle
between white and black. Inside the continent
red tear drops bring the struggle to be remembered. The
stitch like symbols inside Africa symbolise
the past aggressions and violence in Africa. The greys bars
that run across the continent symbolise
the time in jail Mandela had to endure. There is also
importance of maintaining the leader on the
outside of the bars(inside the right bar over the African
silhoette "27 years' can be read...the time
Mandela spent in Robin Island Jail.
4.At the center of Mandela's fist many things can be seen,
1.The political symbol of the ANC(black and
white shield and spear artwork.2.The flag of Mandela's ruling
party(green,yellow and black striped flag
). In the background of this painting the new South African
flag appears. Other text of symbolical importance like.."white
by night" and "passes is slavery" can be seen on the
painting. The bars over Africa symbolise Mandelas time in
jail.Looking carefully at the "Africa" graphic it displays a side
view of a scull representing the struggle in Africa and those
who have lost there lives due to the struggle. Thick oil paint
is used in various parts of the painting to enharnce ideas
and images.
| Click on photo to see full size. |
| Biography |
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. His father was Chief Henry
Mandela of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela himself was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University
of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was
engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for
treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.
After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC.
In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those
members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the
ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five
years' imprisonment with hard labour. In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe
were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence.
His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity. On June 12, 1964, eight of the
accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at
Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison, nearby on the mainland.
During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most
significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid
movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.
Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he plunged himself wholeheartedly into
his life's work, striving to attain the goals he and others had set out almost four decades earlier. In 1991, at the
first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after the organization had been banned in 1960,
Mandela was elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo, became the...
organisation's National Chairperson.
Mandela of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela himself was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University
of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was
engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for
treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.
After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC.
In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those
members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the
ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five
years' imprisonment with hard labour. In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe
were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence.
His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity. On June 12, 1964, eight of the
accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at
Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison, nearby on the mainland.
During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most
significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid
movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.
Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he plunged himself wholeheartedly into
his life's work, striving to attain the goals he and others had set out almost four decades earlier. In 1991, at the
first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after the organization had been banned in 1960,
Mandela was elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo, became the...
organisation's National Chairperson.
| More on Mandela... >>>click here. |
| All copyrights on Bird art,paintings & digital photography by Birdart.org 2002/7 |
| The Frame of this painting is hand made/carved by the artist and has barbed wire and metal bolts on the frame symbolising elements of being jailed. Various STAMPED text on the wood of frame can be seen. 1.NELSON MANDELA 2.FREEDOM 3.OR TAMBO 4.ROBIN ISLAND 5.BORN NINETEEN EIGHTEEN JULY 6.THE STRUGGLE 7.WHITE BY NIGHT 8.PASSES IS SLAVERY 9.SANCTIONS 10.DE KLERK 11 AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS 12.INKATA 13.DESMOND TUTU 14.TWENTY SEVEN 15.FOUR SIX SIX SIX FOUR 16.ONE MAN ONE VOTE |
Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela on your 90TH Birthday!!!
| A painting dedicated to Nelson Mandela's struggle! |
| Close up of custom frame made up by the artist! |
| Click on photo to see full size. |
| Look more at text in frame and the painting as a whole. |
