In this interview I’m speaking with South African sculptor and installation artist Snelihle Maphumulo, an extraordinary young creative whose work is deeply rooted in both her Zulu heritage and her Christian faith.
Snelihle was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and she studied Fine Art, Sculpture, and Visual Culture at Rhodes University. What makes her work so unique is the material she chooses to work with: sheep hide.
In Zulu tradition, hide carries cultural significance—it's connected to ceremonies, identity, and ancestral heritage. But for Snelihle, the sheep hide also has a powerful spiritual meaning. It represents the biblical idea of God as the Shepherd and humanity as the sheep under His care.
Through her sculptures and installations, she uses the hide to express the themes of protection, guidance, and faith. Her artworks often create quiet, contemplative spaces that invite you to reflect on the relationship between the physical material and the spiritual symbolism behind it.
What I love about her practice is how she brings together two worlds—her cultural roots and her personal Christian belief—without separating them. Instead, she weaves them into a conversation, showing how tradition and faith can coexist and inform each other in beautiful and unexpected ways.
In this interview, Snelihle shares how she transforms this traditional material into a message of hope, vulnerability, and divine connection. Her work is not just about sculpture—it’s about storytelling, identity, and the deep relationship between culture and spirituality.
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In this interview I’m speaking with South African sculptor and installation artist Snelihle Maphumulo, an extraordinary young creative whose work is deeply rooted in both her Zulu heritage and her Christian faith.
Snelihle was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and she studied Fine Art, Sculpture, and Visual Culture at Rhodes University. What makes her work so unique is the material she chooses to work with: sheep hide.
In Zulu tradition, hide carries cultural significance—it's connected to ceremonies, identity, and ancestral heritage. But for Snelihle, the sheep hide also has a powerful spiritual meaning. It represents the biblical idea of God as the Shepherd and humanity as the sheep under His care.
Through her sculptures and installations, she uses the hide to express the themes of protection, guidance, and faith. Her artworks often create quiet, contemplative spaces that invite you to reflect on the relationship between the physical material and the spiritual symbolism behind it.
What I love about her practice is how she brings together two worlds—her cultural roots and her personal Christian belief—without separating them. Instead, she weaves them into a conversation, showing how tradition and faith can coexist and inform each other in beautiful and unexpected ways.
In this interview, Snelihle shares how she transforms this traditional material into a message of hope, vulnerability, and divine connection. Her work is not just about sculpture—it’s about storytelling, identity, and the deep relationship between culture and spirituality.
Architecture as Art: Exploring Design with Ruan Erasmus
Petra Sittig
52 minutes 17 seconds
2 weeks ago
Architecture as Art: Exploring Design with Ruan Erasmus
Join Pretoria-based architect Ruan Erasmus as he shares his journey from learning under mentors to founding his own firm. He explores creative freedom in architecture, the importance of understanding a client’s vision, and why interiors are the heart of every building.
Ruan also discusses reimagining 1960s South African homes, transforming spaces to add value to neighborhoods and communities. His love for architecture shines through in every insight — from discovering unexpected design moments to shaping spaces that truly matter.
A must-watch for anyone passionate about architecture, design, urban renewal, and creating meaningful spaces.
Petra Sittig
In this interview I’m speaking with South African sculptor and installation artist Snelihle Maphumulo, an extraordinary young creative whose work is deeply rooted in both her Zulu heritage and her Christian faith.
Snelihle was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and she studied Fine Art, Sculpture, and Visual Culture at Rhodes University. What makes her work so unique is the material she chooses to work with: sheep hide.
In Zulu tradition, hide carries cultural significance—it's connected to ceremonies, identity, and ancestral heritage. But for Snelihle, the sheep hide also has a powerful spiritual meaning. It represents the biblical idea of God as the Shepherd and humanity as the sheep under His care.
Through her sculptures and installations, she uses the hide to express the themes of protection, guidance, and faith. Her artworks often create quiet, contemplative spaces that invite you to reflect on the relationship between the physical material and the spiritual symbolism behind it.
What I love about her practice is how she brings together two worlds—her cultural roots and her personal Christian belief—without separating them. Instead, she weaves them into a conversation, showing how tradition and faith can coexist and inform each other in beautiful and unexpected ways.
In this interview, Snelihle shares how she transforms this traditional material into a message of hope, vulnerability, and divine connection. Her work is not just about sculpture—it’s about storytelling, identity, and the deep relationship between culture and spirituality.
