The University of Johannesburg (UJ) will confer world renowned sculptor Noria Mabasa with an Honorary Doctorate at the Auckland Park Campus on Wednesday.
Mabasa has been practicing and perfecting her artistic practice as a sculptor since 1974 and is known for her pottery and wood artistic sculptures.
Dubbed as a custodian of indigenous knowledge, the 84-year-old is a respected teacher that willingly shares her knowledge and skills.
Mabasa also broke cultural and gender stereotypes after she became the first Venda woman to work with wood, as the material had always been the preserved for male sculptors.
Motivated by a series of dreams in which her ancestors spoke to her, she turned to the material as her chosen medium.
“Mam Noria’s carvings depict Venda mythology and spirituality, as well as portray traditional ceremonies and the daily lives of women and children in her community,” UJ said in a statement.
“She explores the hardships women suffered under apartheid. The violence, loss, and displacement, while dealing with themes of race and gender.
“Her artworks depict the harsh realities of life in rural areas and strives towards social transformation.”
Previously, Mabasa received the silver category of the Order of the Baobab in 2022, also receiving several other national and international awards for her outstanding artistry and creativity.
