Stephen Langa
Featured Artist based in Mamelodi
Tebogo Stephen Langa is a Johannesburg based artist. He was born in 1995 in Mpumalanga and grew up in a small town called Mokopane in South Africa Limpopo province. Langa is a contemporary South African artist who specializes in different mediums such as charcoal drawing, watercolour and painting. He studied at Tshwane North College in Pretoria and obtained a diploma in art & design back in 2018. he’s work often explores and uses emotions to fuel his artwork and gather inspiration from personal tales from people, experience’s and the environment around him.
The Artist currently lives in Johannesburg and currently doing second year class of professional printmaking excellence at artist proof studio. Langa was one of the top 3 artist of the Itweb Brainstorm art calendar 2020 sponsored by HUAWEI and IOCO. He has also been in few well known art exhibitions such as Johannesburg art fair, moving into Dance group exhibition, South African print art fair and he was one the selected artist for TLC student Lockdown collection of 2020.
Artist Statement
My work focuses and practice a landscape and systematic change and telling of a new economic narrative and reality especially during this pandemic the whole world is phasing.my work also represents a research for subjugated knowledge - elements of agriculture, of longing where the exile returns home to prosper and take back the means of production and labour – where they are not exploited and actively take back the means of material production to sustain themselves which influences the means of mental production - a necessary element in this fundamental, systematic change and telling of a new economic narrative and reality.
“It is the contrasting use of colour, the dark sombre tones with splashes of bright colours in his work that leads people to ignore the depth of political and intellectual imagination that informs this use of colour”.
Land and their economic interests are of disinterest to many of the youth with is problematic and needs a change. My work also reaches all different types of audiences also creates economic and social change ,is important in the telling of different economic narrative of experiences that people are a phasing today.
Stephen_langa_Art (Instagram & Facebook)
Twitter: Stephen_langa_art @artLanga
Tivani Ernest Mabulele
Featured Artist based in Ennerdale
Tivani Ernest Mabulele was born in Elim, hospital, Louis Trichardt, Limpopo. Attended high school at lemana high. Matriculated in 2012. He then focused on his passion for art and started learning independently through reading books, online, visiting galleries and asking his surroundings for a feedback (crit).
In 2019 he was nominated by the state of art as one of the top 25 artists for people’s choice awards which he came second. Later that year he was part of the top 100 artworks selected by Thami Mnyele fine art awards. He currently reside in August house studio where he works and displays he's art.
FB page: Tivani Ernest Mabulele
@tivani_mabulele
Themba Shabalala
Featured Artist based in Mamelodi
Themba Shabalala, a contemporary South African artist born in 1994, An totem award winner in 2015 and currently based in Johannesburg in an art community called August House, Themba Shabalala has a formal discipline in printmaking and his predominantly engaged with the medium of fire and wood. He is currently exploring the concept of family; mainly his upbringing and his battle with an absent father figure.
His work shows how he chooses to carry the aspects his mother has taught him and learn to overlook his father’s physical absence. His work has been featured in a number of group exhibitions and auctioned. Shabalala is one of the nine artists elected in Africa for a prestigious World Art Print in France. His currently working on two projects, his building a body of work for London collection and his looking forward in working with SOS in an initiative to empower children from disadvantaged communities. Very much kin to donate one of his artwork for SOS auction.
This will be the second time, as his work was auctioned 3 years ago at Saint Peters Jr high in Sandston for a common reason.
Insta & FB: @thembashalala07
Abigail Siwan Cansdale Van Der Leek
Featured Artist based in Pietermaritzburg
Born in 1977 in North Wales Wrexham UK, raised in Hackney North-East London UK.
Abi completed GCSE's and A Levels in Art & Design and English Lit.
Abi did a Foundation Course in Art & Design @Chelseacollege of Art & Design UK.
Abi did Camp America for 2 summers running in Saint Louise and NY NYC USA.
A Carpentry apprenticeship @NaturalFurnitureCompany N16 UK.
A Tattoo apprenticeship in Amanzimtoti SA @LivingArtTattoos and Managed Electric Eye Tattoo Gateway Durban SA for 3 years from 2010. Abi opened and ran #ABITAT #AbigailsTattooz for 4 years @claremontFarm Dolphin Coast KZN SA, also owned and ran #Lifeformstudios @ClaremontFarm. Abi's been featured in #TheCourierfreenewspaper a few times and the free Durban's #Getit mag.
Abi was part of a group Artist's exhibition @Artspace Durban in 2015 with an article in a Durban newspaper, it was under #RozCryer called 'Courageous I'. Also a recent and very professional looking showcase of local artists on the North Coast of Durban SA @theGalleryLifestyle which lasted 6 weeks, which was Feb 2021.
Currently painting and learning how to live the life she loves. Studying how to sell her art online with #UnitedArtspace.
/abisiwanart/Instagram
Thina Dube
Featured Artist based in Ennerdale
Born in 1993, Thina is a graduate of the University of Johannesburg, holds a postgraduate diploma in Education, and teaches at the National School of the Arts. Thina is also an art therapist who has worked with children with special needs. He has exhibited in multiple group shows including Turbine Art Fair, Constitution Hill, Sguzu Press Soweto, and AVA Cape Town. In 2018, he exhibited at the Stellenbosch Museum, ABSA, Eclectica and InToto, and also completed a residency with First Floor Gallery Harare. His first solo took place at Guns & Rain in 2018; he has worked with the gallery since 2015.
Exhibitions, Awards & Collections
2020 1-54 African Art Fair, London
2019 Cologne, Thk Gallery, Germany
2020 ARCO Lisboa, Portugal, Online
2020 (Re)constructing The Shadow, with Tawanda Takura, Guns & Rain, Johannesburg
2019 Guns & Rain, Latitudes Art Fair, Johannesburg
2018 Guns & Rain, AKAA, Paris
2018 Solo Exhibition, Guns & Rain, Johannesburg
2018 Residency, First Floor Gallery Harare
2018 Group Exhibition, In Toto, Johannesburg
2018 Group Exhibition, Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town
2018 The Last Harvest, Solo Exhibition, Stellenbosch Museum, Cape Town
2018 Talking to Deaf Ears, Group Exhibition, ABSA Gallery, Johannesburg
2017 Salon, Group Exhibition, AVA Gallery, Cape Town
2017 White Noise, Group Exhibition, Joburg Fringe Fair
2017 Partnership Editions, AKAA Art Fair, Paris
2017 Facing Fanagalo, Solo Exhibition, Guns & Rain and National School of the Arts, Johannesburg
Instagram:@thinadube
Timothy Zantsi
Featured Artist based in Cape Town
Born 1975 here in Cape Town grew up in a strong Christian family raised by single parent.
At an early age I was drawing and my Mom noticed that she took me to attend art classes at the Community arts projects in Woodstock after school. Since then I never stopped working as artist 1988.2003 I studied art as my favourite subject at Siviyele Technikon then later to complete my N6 certificate went to Cape Town College.... Doing graphic design and photography and painting. Since 2008 I'm a full time artist creative creating a new work and exhibiting selling my art to survive as my career and a source of income. Now I paint in my studio in lLanga. Where I grew up.
My work is all about what is all around us, People, What they are doing, Land scape in a story form, Township life inspired me a lot so me and my experiences are in my work. Colours and vibe are pulling my attention...... I've worked with many different types of artists and I'm a freelancer because of that. Yes.
Acrylics paints thick thin liquid colour paint variety of colours and major primary colours Red Yellow Blue Black & more White, as much variety of brushes and paper newsprint paper to play around with practice with it and cartridge paper to do master piece can be plant as many size A1
Cold glue and newspapers & magazines to do paper masher & collage
A4 or bigger size of square or rectangle glass like window size glass to do mono prints drawings or abstracts with found objects
FB: Timothy Zantsi
Insta: @timothyzantsi
Clement Chuma
Nozewu
Featured Artist based in Cape Town
My name is Clement Chuma Nozewu, but everyone calls me Chuma. I am a forty-eight-year-old father of two boys, ten and eight years of age and a beautiful one year old daughter. My wife and I have been together for 20 years now and we live in Gugulethu Cape Town. I was born in East London but was lucky enough to grow up in different areas of the Eastern Cape... For instance, I did my Primary schooling mostly in Uitenhage, my High-Schooling in Grahamstown, King William’s Town and Transkei. (F.KA.) and my Tertiary in East London.
After Finishing Matric in 1993, I studied Graphic Design at East London Technical College but could not continue my studies further beyond my first year and a half. It was then that I moved to C.T. to find work. I have been living and working in Cape Town since 1997.
I worked extensively in the Hotel Industry for the first ten years in Cape Town. I have achieved a significant number of things in that industry and it was time for me to seek growth in what I was passionate about ... I started volunteering then working for an NGO named SAEP here in Cape Town as a Visual Arts Tutor at a few Primary and High Schools in the greater Philippi and Samora Machel communities since 2013. In 2017 I moved to my current employers Lalela Art Projects, where I am an Arts Practitioner/Facilitator who has worked in schools in Houtbay, Vygeskraal, Philippi and Gugulethu. Through the many outreach achievements under my belt and the impact that I have, I have also done work with the youth in and around my community.
I am very passionate about remedying the social ills in the townships of South Africa and perhaps beyond and I take pride in the work that I do... It is for me, the most fulfilling thing to be entrusted with.
I have also managed to be rewarded with sponsorships and invites to study Psychology at different institutions such as Life-Line (a qualified hot-line consultant) and I am currently studying towards a Diploma in Psychology with a specific focus on Art Therapy at S.A.C.A.P. I have also done an intro course to Art. Therapy with the Butterfly Art Project. I’ve partnered with Save the Child, Triggerfish, Artscape, The Baxter Theatre, The Rosebank Theatre, Fugard Theatre, Zama Dance School, Amy Biehl Foundation, I.L.E.A.P (U.S.A) and many more... I have also been directly involved with fundraising with the National Lottery, European Union, and I have written many other fundraising proposals.
I strive to develop myself both physically mentally to hopefully make more of a meaningful impact in society... Never dies while I live. I am involved in all types of Arts: Theatre, Dance coordination, Marimba, Music Instruments, Local music and poetic movements, Jazz bands and many more genres of music... I love all arts and cannot find myself doing the same thing for long periods. I have written books that I plan to publish and I have supervised an illustration of a children’s book from Austria... I have also designed and created Murals to liven up spaces at the V.& A. Waterfront and other prestigious establishments. I have started several successful businesses in my lifetime: Grass cutting, Felling and garden care, Mobile Food outlets, Welding, Rustic Furniture manufacturing and many more... I have done guided my kids to producing Murals in Child Care Institutions in Clinics and crèches in and around the communities I live and work in. Designing and illustrations of CD covers and events organising are also my specialties. Signage Writing, wood work metal work and Epoxy Renovations and creations are also a few that I can remember. Manual Illustrations and children’s books production and writing. In recent years however, my personal Art endeavours have had to take a back seat to my Outreach responsibilities and that is what feeds my family and makes me sleep well.... I don’t regret one moment. I attach below a Pictogram to this report to hopefully give you an idea of my day to day Hustle.
FB: Chuma Nozewu
Twitter: Dikela: Dikela@87865413
Kimathi Mafafo
Featured Artist based in Cape Town
Kimathi Mafafo is a multidisciplinary artist whose practise ranges from embroidery, oil painting to installation. Born in the semi-arid Kimberley in the Northern Cape of South Africa, Mafafo questions historical stereotypes around gender inequality in Africa. She primarily focuses on celebrating the black female and abstracted forms placing them in often verdant imaging characterised by lush greenery and sensuous drapery, are far removed from the dusty mining town where she grew up.
‘While her compositions may burst with riotous plant life each leaf and frond remain meticulously executed. Her compositions are seductive in their level of detail yet remain curiously flat, emphasising their highly staged nature and the narrative element, which is central to her work. Her imagery is partly guided by her desire to celebrate the black female form, inspiring women to embrace their own worth and beauty. Her earliest works are partly autobiographical and tell the story of a woman withdrawing from the urban lifestyle and finding strength in nature and within herself. Mafafo works alongside Mustapha Saadu — a tailor from Ghana — with whom she has collaborated on a series of embroideries telling stories of women trapped under the weight of tradition and not fully realising their worth. Embroidery is an ancient transcendent, and Kimathi as an emerging female artist, has found solace in the art form, transforming herself and her artwork.’ - Taken from 'This Woman’s Work’: a brief reading of Kimathi Mafafo’s artworks by Dr Same Mdluli, Arts Writer and Historian
Kimathi Mafafo’s artworks can be found in important public and private collections worldwide. Kimathi Mafafo’s practice in painting and embroidery work is a raw articulation of two mediums that have embodied the Black woman and/or female’s body within the tradition of woman’s work... In these, she creates a tension between becoming and being, concealing and revealing, retreating and showing up, all of which are an embodiment of the arduous negotiations Black women have to make in navigating their existence in society.
Solo Exhibitions
2019 ‘Embolden’ at EBONY/CURATED, Cape Town, South Africa
2018 Solo Presentation at Investec Cape Town Art Fair, EBONY/CURATED, Booth S5,
CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa
2017 ‘Alone in Spring’, EBONY/CURATED, Cape Town, South Africa
2015 ‘Withdrawn’, World Art, Cape Town, South Africa
FB: Kimathi Mafafo
Insta: @kimathimafafo
Sibusiso Makhunga
Featured Artist based in Mamelodi
Sibusiso Makhunga was born in 1992 and raised in Richards Bay KwaZulu Natal(KZN). As a self-taught artist, he has benefited from mentoring by established Congolese artist Thonton Kabeya. Makhunga sold out his first group show with One Art Gallery at the RMB Turbine Art Fair 2019 as his introduction to the South African art market. He also exhibited in November at Bagfactory in Summer. His work is influenced by a passion for fashion, texture and bold colour that empowers the gesture and beauty within human kind. During 2020 he by the Workers museum and his work will be displayed in their development of their new cottages.
Artist Statement
Sibusiso Makhunga's work brings in vibrant energy and movement inspired by is appreciative nature of his surroundings of the things he loves most. His love for his daughters and kids around their age that express the innocence of happiness, playfulness and joy of being little princesses; the freedom of expressing oneself that comes with the innocence of childhood. This then leads to his favourite glass of wine after work with friends & family sharing moments that range from bright and glorious days to melancholic experiences with company that elevates your spirit before the obstacles of adulthood brings the wine glass to a sudden shatter. His appreciation for female figures amidst the struggles they encounter on a daily basis but still find a way to rise above the trial and tribulations embedded on the female figure by its ancient preconceptions. His love for fashion and how we use fashion to express ourselves. How fashion can be used to make a statement in society and it becoming a tool of bringing us together as different cultures. He also enjoys making visuals of a regular day in one's life. Where one would wake up, go to work, meet up with friends afterwards then go off home to finish the day off; he creates studies of one's daily itinerary to make sense of how people circle around different places in order to make means for themselves to better their lives.
Exhibiting Artist
RMB Turbine Art Factory / 201 9
Selected to exhibit some of my artworks.
Exhibiting Artist
Summer Salon Bag Factory / 2019
Selected to exhibit some of my artworks.
One Art Gallery, First Sunday Victoria, Simuka Art Gallery, Emor Luxury Gallery, Pop Ups, Sneaker Exchange
Instagram: S.Makhunga
Facebook: Sibusiso Makhunga
Sakhile Mhlongo
Featured Artist based in Pietermaritzburg
Born north in Empangeni, Sakhile currently lives south in uMgababa, Kwa-Zulu Natal but works out of a studio space in the centre of the city. He is both a portrait artist and mural artist.
In the works on this exhibition he interrupts the status quo by projecting a ‘decolonised portrait’ of the ‘angry’ young black man. By situating the male figure in a series of tensioned poses against ‘English country garden’ fabric commonly used for curtains and upholstery in a domestic setting, Mhlongo brings an edgy conversation to his practice.
He is also recognised as mover and shaker in the world of mural painting / the portrait of Anton Lembede in central Durban a few metres from the City Hall is now a recognisable Durban landmark. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions and National art competitions; in 2016 he was selected as one of the Sanlam Portrait Awards top 5 artists. His work had been featured in various newspapers, catalogues and in South African ‘Artist’ magazine.
Education and Training
2016 National Diploma in fine art, Durban University of Technology, Durban, S.A
2014 The Business of Arts Course Certificate, Phansi Museum
2006 Saturday Art Course Certificate, Durban Art Gallery
2004 Unity in Diversity Workshop Certificate, Robben Island Cape Town
Related Work Experience
2021 Painting workshop, Northlands Girls High School, Durban North
2021 Mural painting of Gee Six Five, Madadeni, Newcastle
2017 Panting course workshop, iSimangaliso, St Lucia, S.A
2017 Anton Lembede Mural, Durban, S.A
2016 Durban art gallery Artist Residency, Durban Art Gallery, Durban
2016 Painting course workshop, Durban art Gallery, Durban
2015 Hillcrest Primary School Mural, Hillcrest Primary, Hillcrest
2014 Our Space Mural, River town, Durban
2014 Isim Skism Artist residency, Clerens, Free State
2014 Tshepong Centre Mural, Clerens, Free State
2008 Saturday art classes, Drawing teacher, BAT Centre, Durban
2009 Mural Painting, Children’s’ Home, Durban
2011 Mural Painting, Isipingo Hill, Isipingo
Exhibitions and Commission
2021 Our skin is not the problem, Group exhibition, Galerie Noko, Port Elizabeth
2021 Articulate Africa, Izaqheqhe the richness of our culture, Group exhibition, Durban art gallery
2017 Looking back II, Solo exhibition, Rust ‘n vrede Gallery, Cape Town, S.A
2016 Looking back, Solo exhibition, DUT Gallery, Durban
2016 Sanlam portrait awards, Group exhibition, KZNSA Gallery, Durban, S.A
2015 Masters, The married of art and craft, KZNSA Gallery, Durban, S.A
2014 The Ism- Skism residency, Clarence, Free State
2014 What if this city, Group exhibition, DUT Gallery, Durban
2014 SOMEONE, collaborated exhibition, DUT Gallery, Durban
2014 ‘Twenty/20 – A Clearer Vision – Growing the Mandela Legacy’ –UNISA Art Gallery
2014 ‘Emerging Eyes’ African Art Centre, Durban, S.A
2014 Decorex, Small business exhibition, Durban exhibition Centre
2013 ABSA Group Exhibition, artSPACE Durban
2013 ‘Ten Elements yet to be discovered’ Group Exhibition, artSPACE Durban
2013 Space Group Exhibition, artSPACE Durban
2012 100 years Struggle, Old Court House Museum, Durban
2012 Tamasa Gallery Group Exhibition, Durban
2011 ‘Izikhwepha Zethu’ Group Exhibition, Durban Art Gallery
2011 ‘Amazing Starts’ Group Exhibition, DUT Art Gallery
FB: Sakhile Mhlongo
Insta: sakhilemhlongoartist
Kim Pereira
Featured Artist based in Pietermaritzburg
I am predominately an oil painter but do enjoy charcoal drawing and ink sketching too. My qualification is in Architectural Draughting. My painting journey began in 2010, when I started weekly oil painting classes, with my cousin, Durban Artist, Dee Donaldson J . I still practice my Architecture but decided to concentrate more on my art from 2016.
I currently run 2 weekly classes for beginners wanting to learn to paint in oils, which I find extremely rewarding. When beginning a painting, I start with a charcoal sketch which I then “fix”. I then apply an acrylic wash over the canvas (usually a bright colour/s) eg Orange when painting a seascape.
I love the idea of activating the canvas in various ways (something I learnt from Dee) as this gets rid of the “white fright” of a new canvas. It assists in adding interest (and sometimes drama!) to an image that you may not be able to get even if you try too! My subject matter is varied. I love seascapes as well as the Land. I do portraits, still life and everything in-between! Be true to yourself, try not to paint to sell but rather paint what you love!
I PAINT PREDOMINANTLY IN OILS. I EXPLORE VARIOUS SUBJECT MATTER BUT HAVE A LOVE FOR THE LAND AND SEA. I DO COMMISSIONS.
Facebook Page: Kim Pereira Art
Insta: @kimpereira_art
Janet Ranson
Featured Artist based in Cape Town
JANET RANSON has held solo shows in Cape Town and UK and participated in numerous group exhibitions and artists’ workshops. She has attended many Thupelo workshops and loves the philosophy of learning by working side-by-side with other artists. She has taught art at different levels and written art textbooks, although she prefers a collaborative workshop approach to formal classrooms. She also likes to play with different materials, using found objects in her work. Her Environmental projects include large-scale installations locally and internationally, ephemeral land art (see Cape Land Art on Facebook), performances (see Open Streets) and public art collaborations (See Delft Mural Project Facebook page).
These experiences inform her studio work, paintings, drawings and constructions, which celebrates the abundance of nature and human creativity. In this year of Covid she has been working on a farm in the Overberg, gardening and learning more about the environment. She loves living closer to the land and loves to share her belief that art is often the thing that makes life better.
Facebook pages: Janet Ranson, Cape Land Art
Instagram: @janandtheinvisibleones
Website: janetranson.withtank.com
