Ferlov Mancoba
1993-05-21
Sender
Alex Laird
Recipient
Ernest Mancoba
Document content
Alexandra Laird, on behalf of the company Bandung Limited, made a documentary film and interviewed Ernest about his friend and artist Gerard Sekoto (1913-1993, South Africa/France). A copy of the transcript of the interview is in the archives at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, donated by Elza Miles, who wrote the biography "Lifeline out of Africa: the art of Ernest Mancoba" (1994). There is a separate letter on copyright and fee.
Transcription
(Transcription: W.Sze)
[sender: Alexandra Laird]
[to: Ernest]
[date: 21 May]
Dear Ernest
It was a privilege to record an interview with you – we call [illegible] time, so I must thank you for the trouble and effort you and Wonga put in for us – and Sekoto. It makes me feel rather guilty to know that we have tired you out so much, and I hope you recover quickly. But you said many important things and it’s good to know they will be shared with a large audience – and in South Africa too.
I enclose the articles I mentioned, the first about Sekoto which mentions you, and the letter Ndebele wrote in response to put the record straight!, written ten years ago now.
We leave Paris tomorrow Sunday to go on to South Africa and hope to meet Es’kia Mphahlele, Chabani Manganyi and several artists. Certainly I will pass on your greetings and news to friends there.
I’ve sent Wonga a film in case he’s able to take some photos of you when you’re feeling up to it. Meanwhile, [illegible] and I send you our love, and all our thoughts and, of course, very many thanks for helping me make this film – your contribution is an essential, and inspirational part of it.
I will keep in touch, as promised. Meanwhile with love
From
[signed: Alex]
[sender: Alexandra Laird]
[to: Ernest]
[date: 21 May]
Dear Ernest
It was a privilege to record an interview with you – we call [illegible] time, so I must thank you for the trouble and effort you and Wonga put in for us – and Sekoto. It makes me feel rather guilty to know that we have tired you out so much, and I hope you recover quickly. But you said many important things and it’s good to know they will be shared with a large audience – and in South Africa too.
I enclose the articles I mentioned, the first about Sekoto which mentions you, and the letter Ndebele wrote in response to put the record straight!, written ten years ago now.
We leave Paris tomorrow Sunday to go on to South Africa and hope to meet Es’kia Mphahlele, Chabani Manganyi and several artists. Certainly I will pass on your greetings and news to friends there.
I’ve sent Wonga a film in case he’s able to take some photos of you when you’re feeling up to it. Meanwhile, [illegible] and I send you our love, and all our thoughts and, of course, very many thanks for helping me make this film – your contribution is an essential, and inspirational part of it.
I will keep in touch, as promised. Meanwhile with love
From
[signed: Alex]
