Artist Biography

MBONGENI FAKUDZE

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 lineage. During the Transatlantic Slave Trade, they were one of the few cultural pieces enslaved Africans were able to bring to the Americas.

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

© Copyright - Fakudze Studios