Tribute to painter Samson Mnisi, the passing of a legend in contemporary art in South Africa

Man of the Hour legendary, the legendary painter Samson Mnisi 1972-2022

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

Painter Samson Mnisi is dead. The artist according to close associates and family, died “peacefully” on Friday, October 7, 2022, at his Johannesburg CBD studio, which doubled also as his home. Tragically, he passed on a day after the opening his solo exhibition ironically titled Samson Man of the Hour at Keys Mile in Rosebank, Johannesburg, organised by Studio Nxumalo  in association with Asisebenze Art Atelier, an art collective, of which  he was a member.

This solo exhibition  which opened with Mnisi  “in high spirits” according to eye witnesses, was much awaited in fine art circles simply because this hugely talented artist was clearly underrepresented in South African contemporary art.

This is especially so when it comes to exhibiting.  The Man of the Hour was therefore much long awaited, and when it eventually opened, many may have felt indeed that Mnisi was man of the hour. Little did they know that that was the last exhibition they would ever see when the artist was still alive.   He died the following day at around 11pm, “peacefully” according to those close to him. This was collaborated by his eldest son Refiloe, who told CITYLIFE/ARTS that indeed his father was in high spirits during the opening, and indeed he died peacefully.

Refiloe wore a brave face yesterday as he took visitors on a tour of Samson Mnisi: Man of the Hour. He spoke eloquently about this exhibition, which he curated even as he faced the tragedy of his father’s demise.

The circumstances surrounding Mnisi’s death are however still sketchy at this stage.

“It is as If my dad knew that he was going to pass on because two months ago, we bonded well, and he asked me to curate this show. It was the first time in his career that he ever asked me to do so. I am sad that he died, especially a day after the opening of the exhibition. During the opening, he was in high spirits. happy and excited.  I find solace though in the fact that he died peacefully,” Refiloe told CITYLIFED/ARTS in an interview yesterday. He said that funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised, but will be held in his White City, Soweto home. An announcement will be made during the week regarding the memorial and funeral services.

Another person close to him, who was shocked about this sudden death of the artist is jazz musician Banda Banda, who in fact collaborated with Mnisi for the first time in creating this exhibition.

“Samson asked me to collaborate with him for the first time in his career, and during the opening, he painted some works while I played. He too was a performer and it went so well that we agreed that we were going to do the same thing the following day in the morning. And so I came here early on Friday and waited for him, only to hear later that the man I had spoken to only a few hours ago was no more. It is devastating, especially because the collaboration went so well,” Banda told CITYLIFE/ARTS in an interview yesterday as he took one more time to view the exhibition.

“Sam was hugely talented, and yes, sometimes hard to work with. But there is no doubt that he was a good man. He was a man who would fight with you today and the following day surprise you by pitching at your house with a piece of art work to give you as a gesture of asking for forgiveness and peace between the two of you. That was Sam’s style,” said well-known art adviser and consultant Makgati Molebatsi who CITYLIFE/ARTS saw viewing the exhibition yesterday.

  However at this moment it is safe to say that Mnisi was an artist who had long found his voice and purpose in life with his spiritually informed paintings. His works on closer look though speak a lot about a tormented artist who had some kind of a past, some issues to deal with.  There is however no doubt that Mnisi spoke to his spirits through his art work. CITYLIFE published an article two weeks ago, ahead of this exhibition opening, touching on what Mnisi’s art work is all about.  Little did we know that that was the last piece we were to write about this artist while alive, paying tribute to a living legend before he passed on. You can read the piece here: https://citylifearts.co.za/man-of-the-hour-samson-mnisi-eventually-holding-much-awaited-solo-exhibition-in-rosebank/

And of course there is that little matter that people talk about in dark corners in art circles, and that is that somehow, Mnisi may have been involved in some substance abuse. That is of course corridor talk, but for now can we let the dead to rest in peace. Samson Mnisi was born, grew up and found his true calling in art and his talent has taken him around the world. His art works today are found in influential people’s homes and prestigious institutions both in South Africa and abroad. He had a solid international profile and collector’s base, especially in the US, where in the past he used to exhibit regularly. May his soul rest in peace.