From Alexandra to Scotland � Godfrey Majadibodu wins residency
Alexandra based Godfrey Majadibodu is the first black African artist to be awarded a place in the prestigious Glenfiddich Artists in Residency programme, and one of only eight artists from around the world to have been invited to Scotland for the 6th annual Glenfiddich Artists in Residence programme. Artists reside in distillery cottages for up to three months to be inspired by the surroundings, community and distillery itself.
The Glenfiddich Distillery is located in the town of Dufftown in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. This year artists from Russia, China, Taiwan, South African, Canada, USA, Spain and Scotland have been invited to work in the field of art, sculpture, film, photography and music.
A married family man with two children, at 38 years old, Majadibodu who leaves end May to take up his residency has never been beyond the borders of South Africa. On being notified of his selection, he said �this is the moment that I have been waiting for all my life.�
Majadibodu was raised between his grandparents and relatives in Mamelodi and Limpopo Province, and was got his first lucky break when his mothers� employer recognised that as a boy Majadibodu had talent and encouraged and sponsored his education in the arts.
In describing his work Majadibodu said �at the moment my interest is in recording life in the city and townships. I create paintings that show the different feelings that African people have in their daily lives�.
