Dagga Boy II, 2015
oil on belgian linen
21 x 35 in
(53.34h x 88.9w cm)
SOLD
Angry, defiant, and sometimes outright ruthless, it has been said that the cape buffalo has a dark heart. Especially the old Dagga Boys (mud boys in Swahili) as they live out their later days in solitude or small bachelor groups. This Dagga boy has found himself the perfect sized Mud Wallow, where he has adorned himself with a think coat of fresh mud. Famed author Robert Ruark wrote “the cape buffalo looks at you as if you owe him money” and judging by the look in this old bull’s eye, it appears to be payday.
My old friend and fellow artist Simon Combes confronted the dark side of this beast in December 2004 when he was fatally attacked one morning while walking with his wife Kat near their home in Kenya. Just one example of the temperament and unpredictability of this animal. - John Banovich
