Roy Ndinisa was born in 1954 in Swaziland.

As a young man, Ndinisa joined PAMBA an arts organization in Pretoria which taught its members an appreciation of art, music and dance. It was here that Ndinisa met artist Walter Battiss and attended classes given by him.  Ndinisa played the drums while his mother, an Ndebele sangoma, consulted with her patients and he has a love for music. He has worked in the Lighting Department at Sun City and behind the scenes with Pact’s Opera section. He is involved in teaching art to others.

His works on paper carry political messages, depicting imprisonment and other aspects of the struggle for democracy. In 1993 his detailed watercolour and pen and ink portrait, entitled The Black President, expressed his hopes that Mandela would be elected. This work was on view on the Mandela @ 90 exhibition.

Ndinisa also carves vibrant, intricate woodblocks from masonite, and before painting the block in brilliant primary colours, he pulls woodcut prints in black and white.  His woodcuts are created with highly stylized figures, and decorative patterns.  His two major themes include his concern for the preservation of tribal, traditional life and his fear that assimilation is taking place in the urbanized African living a Westernised lifestyle in the townships.

 

FIRST SOLO EXHIBITIO:

1994: Tradition and Township, Natalie Knight Gallery [Johannesburg]

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

1981 Arcadia Centre [Pretoria]
1985 Le Bulletin de l’Alliance Francaise
        Tributaries sponsored by BMW JHB then toured Germany, FUBA Gallery [Johannesburg]
1989 Natalie Knight Gallery [Johannesburg]
1994: Windows on the New South Africa, World Trade Centre, KGI [Toronto]
1996 Tomorrow is Now, Knight Galleries International [Toronto, Vancouver]
        Roy was the Guest artist at the exhibition and was sponsored by SAA.
1997 Images of Freedom [Arts and Events Gallery, Toronto] Opened by Mr. Patrick Evans South African Consul-General
1997 Ndebele Images – Then & Now 1976 – 1998, National Arts Club in N.Y.
2005 Formed Group called Tshwaraganang African Giants Arts and crafts cc and exhibited at Union buildings Pretoria and Bus Factory, JHB
2006  Exhibited at Centurion Art Gallery
2008  Soul of Africa- Development Bank of SA, Pretoria

                                             Â
                                                       Information courtesy of the artist.