Standing tall and determined, a statue of one of the world’s most respected men subtly challenges the inner city of Joburg, and the world, to fight strong for the greater good of mankind and our heritage. Artist, Marco Cianfanelli’s “Shadow Boxer” found inspiration for this incredible near 6 metre tall likeness of Madiba, in an historic image taken by the late Drum photographer, Bob Gosani in 1952, which shows the young man sparring with Jerry Moloi on the rooftop of the South African Associated Newspapers building in downtown Johannesburg.
The Boxer Casts a Shadow
The man himself, now a private citizen, returns in a sense, to the streets of Joburg as a public figure, but younger and with a purpose. “Shadow Boxer” is a stark and quietly powerful reminder of a youth who sought positive change. Towering above Fox Street, Ferreirasdorp, confidently standing between Chancellor House and the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, one can almost imagine the younger man who walked these streets so many times in the years before.
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Chancellor House was once ‘Mandela and Tambo Attorneys’ – the first black owned law practice in Johannesburg. Today this building houses a museum showcasing this portion of history in a somewhat unusual manner; the contents being displayed in windows for passers-by to glimpse and ponder on. One of these exhibit displays is the very photograph which inspired this remarkable sculpture.
Tilly, the late Bob Gosani’s wife, and their two daughters attended the unveiling of the sculpture earlier this year. Together they witnessed a celebration of the role that Madiba played in this area for so many decades, as well as the man who so loved boxing as a sport. By day, “Shadow Boxer” is glorified in sunlight. At night the mild steel layers cast a lingering shadow onto the magistrate’s court, surely reminding all inside of his historical presence in the city.
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The Artist
Marco Cianfanelli was born in Johannesburg in 1970 and graduated, with a distinction in Fine Art, from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1992. Cianfanelli is constantly striving to create art in places one may not have expected to find it. He is a man who constantly tests the possibilities for artistic intervention in the public space. “Shadow Boxer” is his second piece of Madiba.
Boxing and Shadows
“The idea of boxing is a great metaphor to speak of the legal system,” says Cianfanelli. Madiba spent a fair amount of time in court, both as an attorney and as a man accused. Cianfanelli’s sculpture captures the boxer’s stance which conveys a man on the defensive as well as confident he could overcome obstacles.
Madiba stands atop a concrete plinth with the words, “In the ring, rank, age, colour and wealth are irrelevant.” Layers of painted metal sheets come together to form the different pieces, making up the shadows of the figure, as well as create a 3D effect, which can be comfortably viewed from all sides. Cianfanelli is not normally known for colour in his artworks. Drawing inspiration from a black and white photograph, the use of red is pleasantly surprising. “The sculpture is a tribute to a black and white, grey scale photo. I decided to add red to make it more pronounced and also to link to the colour used on Chancellor House,” he says.
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This R500 000 sculpture commemorates an iconic leader as a boxer, rather than a political figure. “Shadow Boxer” symbolises so very much. It depicts the complexity of the present, as well as the past, and a fight for justice for which current and future generations can unravel as they learn to understand how history has shaped today. It also tells a story of human nature, of wanting to achieve good, whilst protecting against the bad. It’s almost a tale of good versus evil in one simple moment frozen in time. Life is about challenges, and to overcome them, one has to be guarded, defensive, brave, true and open to the softness of being human. It truly is “a homage to justice, freedom and equality hard won.”About boxing, Mandela once said: “I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. I was intrigued by how one moved one’s body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match.” To him, boxing was all about science and tactics; ducking and diving punches and protecting the body and limbs at the same time.
Stay in Johannesburg
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Hotel Lamunu in Johannesburg is a chic City Hotel in Braamfontein''s vibrant new trendy precinct, close to Universities, art galleries, museums, theatres and Gautrain station. Avant garde air-conditioned rooms are vibey and bright with all mod cons. Stylish La Menu Restaurant and bar serves lunch and breakfast. Walk to bistros and cafés.
About the blogger
Bronwen Watson is a Johannesburg based professional copywriter, with over 4 years copywriting experience including creating content for a diverse variety of fields in both long and short copy. From health and fitness to web design, online marketing and travel articles, as well as blogging, Bronwen has written several articles for the web and contributed to many marketing communications including brochure copy, email banners and screensavers.
Bronwen is an online copywriter and social media manager for a Johannesburg based digital agency, specialising in online and social media, administrating, writing and editing content for blogs, mobile and social media community management.
1 Response to Boxing Shadows in Search of Light
I''m not usually a fan of public art but when its about a person and ahas deep meaning I think its well worth doing. Let this town remember its legends
By clive peters (14 months ago)