Until his release from prison in 1990, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was better known as a cause than a man. As a statesman he set a moral compass for the world and raised the bar for mankind. Having already earned a global reputation as an author, in 2001 he decided to step out of his comfort zone and turn his memories into art.
Inspired by the late John Lennon, whose artworks had commanded worldwide attention, his intention was to share a part of himself that had been completely hidden from the world and at 83 years old, he began sketching slowly, bringing The Struggle Series to life.