Ubuhle
When forming the women artists' community Ubuhle in 1999, Ntombephi “Induna” Ntobela and Bev Gibson shared a singular vision: to revive the lost traditions of bead-making to the local women of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa and enable them to use their restored skills as a means to sustain their livelihoods.
Each artist is recognized by her unique style and inspiration. Artist and Ubuhle co-founder Ntombephi “Induna” Ntobela invokes water as a personal reference to her mother, a sangoma who spent six months in the sea to complete her training as a healer. Thando Ntobela uses colour as a way to represent the people, emotions and experiences that have touched her life. Zandile Ntobela’s pattern of the flowering sakura, or Japanese cherry blossom, is a signature part of her work. Zondlile Zondo uses vibrant colours and bold patterns to reflect her Zulu culture.
