Themba Khumalo
Themba Khumalo in an artist based in Johannesburg, South Africa
Themba Khumalo is one of ArtConnect’s Artists to Watch '22
Themba Benedict Khumalo was born on the 16 February 1987 in Soweto and raised in Orange Farm, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Khumalo graduated from Artist Proof Studio in printmaking, where he obtained a Design Foundation Certificate. He went on to do a professional printmaking development course under the sponsorship of Pinpoint One, at Artist Proof Studio in 2009 where he was an intern in the silkscreen unit and special project team. Khumalo is interested in exploring different mediums, such as charcoal drawings and painting.
He has been involved in number of group exhibitions, commissions and special projects, such as painting murals in the Eastern Cape (South Africa) and being invited to exhibit in a group show at Isolate del Cinema festival in Rome, Italy. He has been also invited to several residences :
SAFFCA collection, Bordeaux ( France), Künstlerhaus Meinersen (Germany ) , Galerie Atiss gallery , Dakar (Senegal).
Lisa Deml
Curator
“Themba Khumalo’s broody landscapes bear witness to the complex social, cultural, geographical, and political realities in South Africa and its peoples. In his drawings, paintings, and prints and through his evocative use of charcoal, coffee, and pastel, land is configured as a political and spiritual space of refuge, protest, faith, healing, belonging, and identity. In this way, his artistic practice is a means to navigate and orientate oneself in a charged and dynamic environment, a moment of calm before the storm.”
ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.
How did you get started as an artist?
I started when I was young, I had an interest in art from my primary level of schooling. Then, my passion grow when I started visiting the local library, meeting other young artists and reading about anything related to art (I was inspired a lot by township art). From then I just wanted to be a full-time artist.
How would you describe your artistic approach?
My approach to creating work starts by me taking pictures using my phone, and reflecting on my upbringing, I’m inspired by spaces hence my work its mostly South African landscapes and joburg cityscape. My preferred medium of choice is charcoals, oil painting, printmaking and more. I always tell people my work documents everyday life.
Themba Khumalo’s studio
And how about what inspires you?
I get my inspiration from lots of things like (politics, religion, childhood memories, current events and self-identity). I get inspiration from working with other artists because I believe in collaborations.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist?
I think my biggest challenge is multi-tasking at times. It can be tricky at times.
Themba Khumalo working on a project
Describe a typical day in the studio/wherever you make your work.
My day starts at 8:30am at the studio, first thing I play music (depending on the mood), check my emails, look at social media, and scroll through my phone for pictures for references. I start painting with coffee and drawing with charcoal.
Is there a medium, a process, or a technique that you haven't used in your work yet but would like to try out?
I’d love to experiment with embroidery.
What are you currently working on? Or an upcoming project you want to mention?
Currently, I'm working on a new body of works (oil paintings, prints, prints ). Hopefully I will have a solo exhibition at the of the year.
How does it feel to be selected as an ArtConnect Artist to Watch?
I’m very happy.
Anything else you want to add?
To view the rest of my works you can visit my Instagram.
See more of Themba Khumalo’s work
