Lungelo Gumede: The uncanny art of wax sculpting
The South African artist who is on a mission to create the country鈥檚 first wax museum.
As you enter Lungelo Gumede鈥檚 studio, in the heart of South Africa's coastal city of Durban, you are greeted by the smell of paint, clay and other materials. Across the room, what you see is surprising. At first glance, you are looking at Nelson Mandela, the recently departed King of the Zulu Nation, Goodwill Zwelithini and Queen Elizabeth II. As you get closer, of course, you discover they are wax figures elegantly dressed in real clothes. That's what Lungelo specialises in - life size statues of prominent global figures in politics, sports and entertainment, with a special focus on African heroes. His art is celebrated across South Africa and, at only 36, he鈥檚 on a mission to create the country鈥檚 first ever wax museum.
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