• United Kingdom
thokozanimthiyane

Thokozani Mthiyane

South Africa
About The Artist
All artworks by Thokozani Mthiyane

Price

($ USD)

0

5200

Orientation

thokozanimthiyane

Thokozani Mthiyane

thokozanimthiyane

Thokozani Mthiyane

Johannesburg-based artist Thokozani Mthiyane, co-founder of The Enso Circle, masterfully blends abstract painting with a rich tapestry of artistic expression. His creative journey, deeply influenced by mentors Sfiso KaMkame and Thami Jali, began in the vibrant art scene of Clermont Township, Durban.

Mthiyane's work delves into the realm of dreams and metaphysics, exploring themes of identity, memory, and vulnerability. His canvases, imbued with symbolic imagery like crosses, triangles, and circles, reflect his meditative practice and the search for enlightenment. He embraces vulnerability and change, transforming his experiences into a profound exploration of existence.

Beyond painting, Mthiyane's artistic prowess extends to poetry, music, dance, and performance art. His international performances, from translating French poetry into Zulu to touring with Inzalo dance company, showcase his versatility and dedication to cross-cultural artistic dialogue. His art is held in prestigious collections including the Art Bank Collection and Riboville Collection.

Thokozani Mthiyane

Thokozani Mthiyane is a Johannesburg-based multidisciplinary artist whose abstract paintings delve into the realm of dreams, memory, and vulnerability. Inspired by his early experiences in the vibrant art scene of Clermont Township near Durban, his work explores themes of identity, existence, and the human condition through a unique visual language. His canvases are rich with symbolism, from crosses representing the human form to triangles embodying masculinity and femininity, all interwoven with a vibrant, expressive palette. His work seeks to capture the poetic essence of life amidst the mundane, transforming the canvas into a space for introspection and self-discovery.

Mthiyane's artistic foundation was laid in the studios of painters Sfiso KaMkame and Thami Jali. This mentorship significantly shaped his creative trajectory, leading him to explore various artistic disciplines. He honed his skills not only as a painter, but also as a trilingual poet, musician, dancer, and performance artist. His early career included a stint with the Madcap's Educational Theatre Company, further enriching his artistic vocabulary and contributing to his multifaceted approach to creative expression. His first solo exhibition at the Flat Gallery in Durban marked a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.


Mthiyane's work has garnered recognition and inclusion in prestigious private collections, including the Art Bank Collection and the Riboville Collection. His artistic journey has also been documented in various publications, including features in Saffca newsletter, City Life/Arts, Mail & Guardian, and a Q&A with Peju Alatise in Nigeria. His performances and exhibitions have taken him from South Africa to France and Holland, showcasing his versatility and dedication to his craft. His art has even found its way onto the screen, featuring in the film "Sirrea's Gold" by Adze Ugah.

* **Solo Exhibitions:**
* A Journey into Soul Songs (2025, New York)
* The Other Side of Masks and Masquerades (2024)
* Masquerade and Earth Songs (2024)
* The Interpretation of Poetry (2023, Johannesburg)
* Soul Songs: The Shape of My Head (2017, Johannesburg)
* Whetin Dey Happen Lagos/Jozi (2015, Johannesburg)
* **Group Exhibitions (Selection):**
* Group Show at The Pencil Club (2024, Durban)
* Group Show at Vinosity (2024, Johannesburg)
* Group Show, Latitudes Art Fair (2023)
* Footnotes (2023, Johannesburg)
* LIMINAL SPACE, Annual Winter Show (2021, Johannesburg)

Born

Durban

Lives and Works

Johannesburg

Education

No Data

Future Fossils – Future Archaeologies is an ongoing sculptural series centered on myth creation as a means of imbuing objects with the essence of being, mind, body, and spirit. “These imagined spirits possess an aesthetic that conveys a spiritual presence, allowing me to direct my incantations—chants of desire, gratitude, well-being, and growth. Simultaneously, they reflect the fragility of our existence, as they are crafted from assembled objects sourced from the studio or found on the streets.”

Future Fossils – Future Archaeologies is an ongoing sculptural series centered on myth creation as a means of imbuing objects with the essence of being, mind, body, and spirit. “These imagined spirits possess an aesthetic that conveys a spiritual presence, allowing me to direct my incantations—chants of desire, gratitude, well-being, and growth. Simultaneously, they reflect the fragility of our existence, as they are crafted from assembled objects sourced from the studio or found on the streets.”

Mask series- This piece is part of a series of masks created during the COVID lockdown, capturing the profound impact those days had on my mental, emotional, and physical state. On this particular day, I could hear the scream of my soul as I wrestled with the echoes of my thoughts. The uncertainty of when— or if—it would end became a relentless torment, while the fear of the lasting effects on humanity loomed like a shadow. By using discarded, lifeless objects, I find a way to create and breathe life into a society that is slowly decaying.

Mask series- This piece is part of a series of masks created during the COVID lockdown, capturing the profound impact those days had on my mental, emotional, and physical state. On this particular day, I could hear the scream of my soul as I wrestled with the echoes of my thoughts. The uncertainty of when— or if—it would end became a relentless torment, while the fear of the lasting effects on humanity loomed like a shadow. By using discarded, lifeless objects, I find a way to create and breathe life into a society that is slowly decaying.

Earth Tones - This work represents my own personal reflection on living and the ways of becoming. Investigating whether it is possible to be without space; witnessing and experiencing generations go through life in search of a place called home in the land of their birth. The question of birth versus land and a place called home is stifling it makes it hard to breathe it makes it hard to move. Earth songs is about the soul and mind notes about the land and the unending for it, the disposition and the catastrophe that comes with. It is also a song (aka Nkosisikelel' iAfrika) it is about the language of self-realization and preservation of memory and history, “to see eternity in the grain of sand.” (William Blake). It is about the complex desire to live with natural elements, free from subjugation which comes with being without. Hence the question on belonging and safety, because without land and space life destabilizes.

Earth Tones - This work represents my own personal reflection on living and the ways of becoming. Investigating whether it is possible to be without space; witnessing and experiencing generations go through life in search of a place called home in the land of their birth. The question of birth versus land and a place called home is stifling it makes it hard to breathe it makes it hard to move. Earth songs is about the soul and mind notes about the land and the unending for it, the disposition and the catastrophe that comes with. It is also a song (aka Nkosisikelel' iAfrika) it is about the language of self-realization and preservation of memory and history, “to see eternity in the grain of sand.” (William Blake). It is about the complex desire to live with natural elements, free from subjugation which comes with being without. Hence the question on belonging and safety, because without land and space life destabilizes.

artist-spotlight

2025- A Journey into soul songs

2025 A Journey into soul songs Curated by Tanya Weddemire, Activated by William and Pearl

artist-spotlight

2024 - The Other Side of Masks

2024 The Other Side of Masks and Masquerades by 1x Run

artist-spotlight

2017 - The shape of my head

2017 Soul Songs: The shape of my head, Art Eye Gallery, Johannesburg

close
Reach Out

Request A Commission

    Project Category

    By submitting this form, you agree with the terms of our Privacy Policy.

    Let us inspire you

    Ft Newsletter Two Ft Newsletter Two
    Please enter a valid Email Address.
    error: Content is protected !!