Belgravia Mandela catalogue Q7:Text 21/5/08 12:51 Page 7
of his incarceration remains fresh in his mind: “The scars run deep and one suspects
that he finds some peace in being able to relive his feelings by this relatively indirect
approach.”
Clients were very moved by the pictures. One young woman broke down in tears
telling us that her father was imprisoned there for 15 years. She remembered him
only from the time he returned, a broken man, who survived just three more years.
The lithographs were printed under the supervision of Professor Steven Inggs at the
printmaking department of the University of Cape Town to the highest standards of
printmaking. The quality is equal to the production of the finest French and British
ateliers.
We first saw the lithograph Hand of Africa with its paint still drying on our visit to
Mr Mandela’s home in December 2002. He had produced several versions with the
idea of one being chosen which had clear finger and thumb prints and interesting life
lines and love lines which might be interpreted by a palm reader. I was immediately
drawn to one of the group which had a shape similar to that of Africa at its centre.
We all joked about it suggesting shapes which our own hands may produce. I was
surprised and delighted that from this light hearted exchange, the magnificent piece
‘Hand of Africa’ was chosen for publication. A British newspaper called it, “an
enduring symbol of the twentieth century.”
The first series of Robben Island and the two Hand of Africa editions were launched
at a very elegant dinner we hosted in the former games room on Robben Island in
February 2003, with Mr Mandela as guest of honour. The world’s press, various
dignitaries and clients attended what was the most memorable dinner of our lives.
The dust and cockroach–infested room was given a five star makeover. Luxury
washrooms were sent from the mainland, one of which fell into the harbour whilst
being unloaded! Guests travelled on the Robben Island ferry to a dinner provided by
the Mount Nelson Hotel. Some of us were treated to the sight of magnificent whales
rising up from the deep near our boat. Mr Mandela was transported by helicopter. In
his speech he spoke of the vivid colours of Africa when he was a child, recalling the
colours of the moon as it changed from silver to bright red and all the colours in a
rainbow. He contrasted these with the grey and khaki on Robben Island, then the
experience of growing tomatoes which turned from green to red, and, much later the
yellow of his first banana in 20 years. It was a strange experience to see him at this
most notorious place which would have held such terrible memories, smiling and
gracious as ever. Having delivered his powerful speech, it was amusing to watch Mr
Mandela as he sat at our table amongst our dumbstruck guests and introduced
himself, “Hello, I’m Nelson Mandela”.
The Prince of Wales sent a generous message of support for the lithograph
programme which was read out at the Robben Island dinner. I was also asked speak-
a daunting experience- and set the works in their artistic and historical context.
A few months later we launched a further series of five images of Robben Island,
featuring the Guard Tower, Mandela’s Walk, the Courtyard the Tennis Court and the
Ward which were produced in editions of 350. Interestingly, each colour image is
accompanied by the photograph which inspired it, and a printed version of Mr
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