Artist Biograhy
MBONGENI FAKUDZE
Mbongeni Fakudze was born in Mbabane, Swaziland in 1982. He studied at Sifundzani primary school and then attended Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA. He completed a fine arts course through the University of South Africa, Pretoria. In his extensive career he has numerous National awards under his belt. He now lives between Johannesburg and Eswatini.
ARTIST STATEMENT
His work has largely been characterised by the painterly expressions of portraiture. Particularly that of the African Woman.
He investigates and depicts the under-recognised and dichotomous position of African women in modern day society. Through the use of symbols such as the head-wrap, he makes a commentary on their respected and power role in Ancient and modern African culture. Their sense of humane fragility and tenderness , plays against their stoic element of strength and power.
His recent works also delve into investigating the questions of African spirituality.
What do head wraps symbolize?
The practice dates back to pre-colonial African history in sub-Saharan Africa, and head wraps were considered symbols of status, marriage, and family
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & ART FAIRS
2022 | “Culmination” Solo Exhibition , Keyes Art Mile, Johannesburg
2018 | Absa Champaigne Festival Auction For Nelson Mandela Foundation
2018 | “Kunst Uit Zuid-Afrika” , The Boutique Gallery, Belgium
2018 | Turbine Art Fair 2018, Johannesburg South Africa
2018 | “Winter Art Collection Exhibition”, Julie Miller Investment Art Gallery/ Mall of Africa
2018 | Impermanence Of Being, solo show, ODA, Franschhoek
2017 | Private Gallery, Singapore
2017 | Center For The Less Good Idea, William Kentridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
2017 | ‘Focus On Women’, ODA, Franschhoek, South Africa
2017 | Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa
2017 | Art Residency, Contemporary Art Association, SA,
Knysna
2017 | Group Exhibition, ‘Pan Africa’, ODA Gallery,
Franschhoek,
2017 |Solo Exhibition, ‘Androgyne’, ODA Gallery, Franschhoek,
2016 | Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa
2016 | August House Group Show, Hazard Gallery, Johannesburg,
2016 | Dark Passages Lighted Rooms’, MAP Gallery, South Africa
2016 | Group Exhibition, Stephen Welz and Co Studio Gallery,Johannesburg
2016 | Awarded Eswatini National Arts and Culture Award , Best Sculpture 2016
2015 | Awarded first prize winner of National Swaki Sculpture Award,
Funded By Natie Kirsh Foundation.
2015 | Swaziland Now, Bushfire/Yebo Gallery
2015 | Swaziland Arts and Culture Exhibition, Swaziland National Museum
2013 | ‘African State of Mind’, Yebo Art Gallery, Lobamba, Swaziland