man...i dont know what's happening anymore. the leval of violence is overwhelming. My friend and fellow artist Gabisile Nkosi was shot in the early hours of this morning by her boyfriend. he shot her despite knowing that she is a mother...her son is twelve. Its so damn meaningless.

Jan Jordan wrote this in memory of Gabi.

It's with a great sense of loss that Art for Humanity (AFH) reports
the tragic death of celebrated KZN artist, Gabisile Nkosi in the early
hours of this morning, 27 May 2008.

Born in 1974 in Umlazi, Durban Gabisile had built a significant career
as an artist in her short life. She received her BTech in Fine Art
from the Durban University of Technology in 2002. Thereafter Gabisile
was based at the Caversham Centre for Artists and Writers in the
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands facilitating printmaking workshops with
well-known artists and local communities.

Gabisile was involved with AFH for almost 10 years with her
participation in two of AFH's print portfolio projects. In 2000,
Gabisile contributed a linocut, "Break the Silence" which discouraged
the practice of polygamy in rural areas to AFH's "Break the Silence"
HIV/Aids awareness print portfolio. In her artist statement, Gabisile
emphasized the important role art plays in advocating social issues,
"If you want to get a message across, it's better to do a colourful
visual rather than text. As an artist, I feel privileged to play a
role in HIV/Aids awareness through the medium of visual art."

Her print was then flighted on billboards at taxi ranks and train
stations around the country as part of the billboard advocacy campaign
and her participation in this project received a lot of attention from
radio stations and the local Zulu communities as her work confronted
controversial issues.

From this point, Gabisile's career took off and her work has been seen
in several group and solo exhibitions in South Africa and abroad. She
was particularly interested in the therapeutic effects of art making
and in 2005 she collaborated with Cape-Town based poet Mavis Smallberg
on AFH's "Women for Children" print portfolio. Gabisile strongly
advocated women's rights in her linocut, "Sisterhood". In her artist
statement she gave a personal account of her experiences and
inspiration:

"As a female artist who has personally experienced domestic violence,
it is my privilege to contribute to this campaign. This image is about
the power of sisterhood. It derives from a trauma that my son and I
experienced in 1998, an abusive relationship which left scars on both
of our lives.

Through the support of my metaphorical sisters, I found joy and
strength. Instead of breaking under the pain, I decided to confront it
as a challenge for a brighter future - for all children have the right
to a happy mother no matter how much heavy baggage may weigh.

This image stresses the importance for domestic abuse victims to
engage in dialogue and to find relevant ways of dealing with these
situations. The repeating arms represent the different spirits which
support me. The flying dresses symbolise the many roles I play as a
woman – as daughter, as mother and father to my son, as a leader in my
community. All women and children deserve to celebrate life."

Gabisile also received art awards and prizes, during and after her
studies. Amongst many other collections her work is also included in
the permanent collection of the Durban Art Gallery, South Africa.



AFH treasures the opportunity of having worked with Gabisile. She made
such a powerful impact with her capacity as an artist and as an
educator in numerous communities. Her passion, kindness and commitment
to helping others through art inspired and touched many lives. We will
miss you Gabi.