Solomon Bobela
Solomon was born on the 28th May 1950 in Alexandra Township, South Africa. After completing his schooling, he went to on study at the now-legendary Rorke’s Drift missionary art school in Natal where he obtained his diploma studying alongside the late John Muafangejo.
He first exhibited at Artist’s Under the Sun in 1970.
Exhibitions:
In 1971, Solomon had a one-man show at the prestigious Carlton Hotel – an event unheard of at the time, as apartheid prevented so-called “Non-europeans” from free movement amongst whites in the venue unless they were menial workers at the hotel.
He also participated in a group show at the Shell Galleries in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
In 1972 he had a one-man show at Gallery 101, Johannesburg.
In 1973, Solomon was invited to exhibit in Oslo, Norway.
In 1975 he held his third one-man show at the Africa Centre in King’s Road, London.
In 1978, Solomon’s works were purchased by the University of California (UCLA). The next year Solomon had a solo exhibit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
The 1980’s were difficult years as notorious State of Emergency and the ANC and UDF campaigns were in full swing, preventing freedom of movement. The illegitimate Bophutatswana “homeland” regime also persecuted the Bobela family, making life intolerable and causing tremendous harm to Solomon’s career.
In 1988 Solomon was offered a position as Junior Lecturer at UCLA, which could not be accepted due to the political turmoil.
Since 2004, he has been a UNISA qualified mediator and outcomes-based assessor.
Solomon continues to output work prolifically in woodcut, linocut, oils and pastels.
He first exhibited at Artist’s Under the Sun in 1970.
Exhibitions:
In 1971, Solomon had a one-man show at the prestigious Carlton Hotel – an event unheard of at the time, as apartheid prevented so-called “Non-europeans” from free movement amongst whites in the venue unless they were menial workers at the hotel.
He also participated in a group show at the Shell Galleries in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
In 1972 he had a one-man show at Gallery 101, Johannesburg.
In 1973, Solomon was invited to exhibit in Oslo, Norway.
In 1975 he held his third one-man show at the Africa Centre in King’s Road, London.
In 1978, Solomon’s works were purchased by the University of California (UCLA). The next year Solomon had a solo exhibit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
The 1980’s were difficult years as notorious State of Emergency and the ANC and UDF campaigns were in full swing, preventing freedom of movement. The illegitimate Bophutatswana “homeland” regime also persecuted the Bobela family, making life intolerable and causing tremendous harm to Solomon’s career.
In 1988 Solomon was offered a position as Junior Lecturer at UCLA, which could not be accepted due to the political turmoil.
Since 2004, he has been a UNISA qualified mediator and outcomes-based assessor.
Solomon continues to output work prolifically in woodcut, linocut, oils and pastels.
